Latest from Horse & Hound in New-forest

‘He definitely stands out’: former eventing pony shines in the ring en route to HOYS triumph

Alex Robinson — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:00:05 +0000

A striking grey New Forest gelding shone bright as he landed the top spot in the 2024 HOYS New Forest pony of the year final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Beverley Bayes’ Ravenstone Fudge II and Stephanie Turner reigned in a quality field, adding this result to numerous county show wins and a second place achieved at the Royal International final in July.

Fudge, a 12-year-old by Furzey Lodge Zennica out of Hyde Alice, was bred by Pat Throne.

Prior to his show ring career, he was an eventing pony. He joined Stephanie three years ago.

“He’d got to his limit and he’d started to not enjoy the eventing,” Stephanie said. “He was sent to me by his previous owner to do a bit and sell on. She had a very good eye and she knew I’d like him; she was right as he is a very substantial pony. Fortunately, Beverley, who was in my yard, bought him. Beverley wanted something a bit different, and as he’s grey he definitely stands out from all the others.”

Fudge went to London International to represent his breed in the M&M supreme final last December. Stephanie has won in Arab ranks at HOYS and has picked up a second and third in the M&Ms in previous years.

“He’s a super pony and is so lovely,” said Stephanie, who runs her own yard. “You work so hard to get here and there’s so much hard graft behind the scenes that people don’t see.”

Second place in the 2024 HOYS New Forest pony of the year final went to Georgia Love aboard her own stallion Burley Burberry, while third spot was picked up by Sam Roberts riding the Dibdin Family’s Pittswood Carmen.

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What to consider if you’re hoping to buy a New Forest pony to enjoy or compete

Alex Robinson — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 15:30:55 +0000

Looking to buy a New Forest pony? The versatile breed should definitely be considered if you’re looking for a hardy, intelligent and fun pony to enjoy or compete.

What is a New Forest pony?

The New Forest is one of the British native breeds. The New Forest is a popular choice for many disciplines due to their variation in height, versatility and ability to turn their hoof to many different spheres. New Forest ponies have an ever increasing presence in the show ring in both flat and working hunter classes. The 2023 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ridden M&M champion was the stallion Vynnes Magical Edition. They also make a great choice for other disciplines, from Pony Club to eventing, from hunting to showjumping.

The New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society is the guardian of the breed: “The earliest record of horses in the New Forest dates back to 1016 when rights of common pasture were granted to the people living in what was a royal hunting ground. Since then, either as specific attempts to improve the breed or just as part of the normal life and trade in the New Forest, many outside breeds were introduced. Notable bloodlines were Welsh, Thoroughbred, Arab and Hackney. Later, another concerted effort was made to improve the New Forest blood and other British Isles pony bloodlines were introduced to achieve this, including Fell Ponies, Dales, Highlands, Dartmoor and Exmoor.”

The New Forest pony has an upper height limit of 148cm and there is no lower height limit. New Forest ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, spotted or blue-eyed cream. Palomino or very light chestnut and cream ponies with dark eyes are not eligible as licensed stallions.

The society provides the following breed standard for the New Forest pony:

Type: New Forest ponies should be of working type with substance. They should have sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of flat bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good hard round feet. The ponies are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more quality.

Action: This should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.

Temperament: The New Forest Pony has an amenable temperament that generally makes it very suitable for multiple disciplines.

White markings: Other than on the head and lower limbs: loss of, or absence of, pigment in hair or skin that is not known to have been associated solely with skin trauma, is not acceptable. So, for the purposes of entry into the approved section of the studbook, a pony shall not have any white markings on pink skin behind the head, above a horizontal line level with the bony protuberance of the accessory carpal bone at the back of the knee in the forelimb, and the point of the hock in the hind limb, unless proven to be due to trauma/injury.

What should I look for in a New Forest?

Vee Taheri-Sinfield is a judge and a breed enthusiast who has competed New Forests for many years at top level. She mainly competes in working hunter classes, producing ponies through the ranks. In 2013 she made history when her pony Mallards Wood Full Monty became the first New Forest to win a Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) working hunter final.

“Whether you want to show, jump, event or do Pony Club, the New Forest is a good choice,” Vee begins. “Temperament is paramount and it’s an essential characteristic to look out for, alongside breed type, which is so important and should not be overlooked.

“The head of a New Forest should be plain – it does not need to be pretty. Movement should be straight and not exaggerated; these ponies were bred to survive on hostile terrain, not on picnic lawns as some are led to believe! They have been required to navigate bogs, ponds, steams and dense woodlands so hardiness is also a key trait.

“Ponies should have a sufficient amount of good, clean bone for their size; I like to see at least 7.5 inches. They should have a set of strong and open feet, not too upright or low on the heels; most ponies can compete and be worked barefoot.

“The upper height limit is 148cm however some of the up-to-height ponies can lose their pony characteristics,” Vee adds. “Well-balanced and proportioned ponies should remain true to type if scaled up or down.

“The New Forest will always be my choice; they combine temperament, bravery and willingness in equal measures. I would also never rule out a part-bred New Forest if you are looking to showjump, event or do dressage.”

Leading showing judge Malcolm Fry tells H&H: “The New Forest can be tricky to judge in many ways due to the range of types, shapes and sizes found within the breed, and the fact they’re classified as a large breed despite having no lower height limit. The bigger ponies tend to be more successful as they’re more commercial, however smaller ponies are being overlooked less and less as judges become more educated.

“You can have two lovely ponies, one more sporty with flash and movement, and one more typey, perhaps a Forest-bred pony with more limb and substance, competing against each other,” Malcolm adds. “We’re lucky to have both, the pony that is representing the type and the other which can stand up against the flashier breeds in the ring. As a breed we’re hot on good limbs, quality bone, good feet – necessary in any breed – short cannons, big joints, depth of body and a good, strong front.”

I want to buy a New Forest pony – where should I look?

There are online sale sites that have New Forest ponies advertised when they come up for sale from private sellers, professional breeders and horse dealers. Ponies also sell via word of mouth.

“Approaching breeders with a good reputation is a good place to start,” advises Vee. “If you’re adventurous and have a good eye for a pony, you can also pick up a good youngster or a foal from the annual Beaulieu Road Pony Sales.

“While they do come on the open market at times, the New Forest tends to stay in the family for a while; they’re versatile and can be handed to various members of the family so they always have a job,” Vee adds. “Personally, I like to buy youngsters to back, bring on and compete. Often, I keep a pony for years, though, as they’re such a joy to have around.”

How much should I expect to pay?

The price of a pony will depend on several factors, including breeding, age and competition record.

“I don’t tend to spend a lot of money on ponies as I prefer to buy foals or raw youngsters,” Vee explains. “I have bought top ponies for hundreds rather than thousands as I got them as weedy youngsters that I thought had potential.

“Prices do vary, but on average you should expect to spend no less than £3,000 on a quality pony that is ready to do a job, though you could probably get a smaller or a more Pony Club quality pony for less. Some over-height Foresters that have made top event or competition ponies can be worth a fortune. In today’s market where the New Forest is a highly valued breed, the sky really is the limit.”

What happens when I’ve agreed to buy a New Forest pony?

If you decide to purchase a pony it is time to organise a pre-purchase vetting, something that is strongly recommended. It’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting what you intend to use the pony for so they can assess it accordingly.

For more information, you can read H&H’s ultimate guide to buying a horse.

‘He was like a war horse’: stallion suspended on tree for days makes miraculous recovery

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 19:51:45 +0000

The owner of a stallion who spent days hanging from a tree with all four feet off the ground has paid tribute to her vets – and the temperament of her horse.

Suzanne Kemp’s Bullhill Major suffered extensive wounds from the pressure of being stuck over the branch of a fallen beech in the New Forest last June. Seven months on, Suzanne told H&H, there is barely any sign of an issue.

Suzanne explained that as a stallion who had been licensed by the New Forest pony society, Major was out in the forest last summer. As the ponies are free to roam, they are not necessarily seen by their owners every day, although there is a network of people keeping an eye on them. So when it was noticed in June that Major had not been seen for a couple of hot days, Suzanne thought he may have gone deeper into the forest, where it was cooler.

But on 4 June, when Suzanne was planning to look for Major, she had a call from a forest agister.

“A couple of girls riding had found him – it was a traumatic find for them,” Suzanne said.

“He was like a war horse, draped over the tree. They wondered what he was doing, went for a closer look and the poor boy was stuck, all four feet off the ground.”

The tree branch had to be cut to free Major (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Suzanne said she can only imagine that Major was trying to mount a mare who had gone under the branch.

“A couple of commoning friends had been called; they took a chainsaw to cut the tree and got him off,” Suzanne said. “Initially he managed to trot away, which is amazing; we think he had been there for three days.”

Major had some abrasions that did not look too serious but Suzanne took him straight to Seadown Vets to be checked.

Seadown clinical director and equine vet Laura Trigg said: “Major is well known to the practice; we knew him as a foal and vetted him for his New Forest stallion licensing; he has always been a firm favourite at the practice.

“He presented at our clinic having been cut out of a tree branch where he had been caught up for at least two or three days. Being a stoical New Forest pony, he perhaps didn’t appear to be as sick as he was.”

Vet Karolina Kalka took bloods and realised Major was suffering from severe dehydration. But also, having been effectively hung from the branch for a significant period of time, he had serious pressure wounds in his abdominal area.

The vets realised the benign-looking wounds were deeper and more serious than they appeared; the skin was dead and dying, which carried the risk of life-threatening septicaemia.

Warning, graphic image.

Major was put on IV fluids, antibiotics and pain relief and started to recover but the dead skin started to slough off, so when he was discharged four days later, it was with an “armful of medication and wound dressings”, to be cared for at home with frequent visits from the vets.

“A couple of my friends work in the NHS with pressure wounds and they were very interested,” Suzanne said. “They said it’s so typical, that the wound looks like nothing but as the tissue dies, the whole area just drops away; you could have put your hand into it like a glove.

“It was horrible but he was incredibly good to treat; he never once needed sedation or put his ears back or lifted a leg when I was cleaning it.”

Suzanne said that other than the antibiotics and pain relief early on, Major had very little medical treatment; the healing was supported by frequent cleaning, vet visits and application of manuka honey and aloe vera.

“I have to say I’ve found it fascinating, how it’s healed,” Suzanne said. “I’ve shown a few people pictures of how it was and they’ve been bowled over by how well it’s healed. I think it does give people hope that serious wounds can mend, given time. Time, and consistency in how you treat them, and do as the vet says! The main thing is to give people hope, and I think it shows the resilience of the ponies.

By November, the wound had nearly healed

‘I’ve got no qualms about putting him back out; he so enjoys it and he’s a perfect gentleman. He just loves it out there, and what could be better for them?”

A spokesman for Seadown added: “As Major was otherwise a fit and healthy pony, the regeneration of his skin tissue has been remarkably quick and once completely healed, we think he will be left with a small scar near his sheath which should barely be visible.

“This case has been a testament firstly to Major and his fabulous temperament, his dedicated owner Suzanne and the team effort from the vets and nurses at Seadown Equine who have painstakingly managed Major’s wounds and helped achieve such a successful outcome.”

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Police hunt driver who left injured foal to die in the road

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:09:14 +0000

A foal was hit by a vehicle and left to die on the roadside by a driver who left the scene.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is appealing for any witnesses to or information about the hit-and-run death of the young donkey in the New Forest last week.

“This occurred in Brook, on the B3078 Roger Penny Way near the junction with Longcross Plain Road at around 5pm on Sunday, 3 December in dark and wet conditions,” a police spokesman said.

“The offending vehicle left the scene in the direction of Fordingbridge and Downton, leaving a broken mirror and headlight glass on the carriageway. The foal was later put down by agisters due to injuries received.”

Police said it is thought the vehicle involved in the incident was an older variety, as it had a glass rather than a plastic headlight.

“We would like to thank the members of the public who stopped, called police and then remained to look after the foal,” the spokesman said.

“If you witnessed the incident or have seen a vehicle with recent damage similar to this, please call 101 quoting reference 44230494153.”

Roger Penny Way is one of the worst roads in the forest for collisions involving animals. H&H reported on a trial of putting salt licks in the area to try to keep animals away from the road, in January 2022.

Home-bred New Forest stallion is overall M&M champion at HOYS on his first visit

Alex Robinson — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:31:23 +0000

A New Forest and a Dartmoor pony came to the fore in the National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M ridden pony of the year championship at the 2023 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

After two marathon days of judging, Antony Bell (conformation) and Alex Kelly (show) selected Laura House and Andrew Vine’s home-bred seven-year-old Vynnes Magical Edition, a HOYS debutante, as their overall champion.

This victory marked both his breeders and his rider, Pip Smith’s first HOYS championship victory.

They qualified for the final on their first outing of the year, at Royal Three Counties back in June.

The Forest-bred stallion, who is by Applewitch Pure Magic out of Brookshill Blackberry, came over from the Isle of Wight to compete at HOYS.

“We knew he was a nice pony, but this was so unexpected as he’s a bit of a joker and he can test me,” said Pip, who is based on the Isle of Wight.

“He’s had some really big wins, but he’s just sort of under the radar,” added Pip. “He just hacks around the Isle of Wight and we do a bit of cross country to keep him sweet and happy. He went to British Dressage a couple of weeks ago, he just does normal pony things. We won’t show him on the flat again now; he might come back jumping in time. He’s just amazing.”

The last time a New Forest won the HOYS M&M supreme title was back in 2014, when the roan gelding Marleydenes Shiraz and Alex Hawkins took the crown.

Reserve was Sarah Parker riding Sarah Weston’s home-bred Dartmoor Westown Wild Fire, who had won the Dartmoor pony of the year final for the second time in his career.

Sarah [Parker] was the rider to beat across the native classes, winning three finals and being placed in the top two in several other sections.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

New Forest pony delights at Winter Dressage Championships: ‘I’m blessed to have found him’

Lucy Elder — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 16:37:00 +0000

New Forest pony Buckland Bonny Lad flew the flag for native breeds to dazzle on his NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships debut and score just shy of 70%.

“We just came for a nice picture!” said his owner and rider Hannah Bown, who scored 69.3% with wildcard entry for 14.2hh “Rodney” in the HorseHage prelim gold winter championship on Wednesday (19 April).

“He did the best possible test that he could have done. He’s a native pony, he is at the winter championships in the gold section and nearly every competitor being above 70% shows the quality of those horses. Eighteen months ago, he was in a field doing nothing – I couldn’t have asked him for a better test.”

They say horses find you in life. It’s a saying that rings true for Hannah and Rodney.

Hannah’s previous horse, Sandro’s Storm (Stanley), whom she competed to prix st georges, sustained a serious injury two years ago. Despite her and her vets’ best efforts and months of top care, it did not heal and he would not have been able to enjoy a comfortable life in retirement, so had to be put down.

Hannah was “emotionally exhausted”. As well as the loss of her much-loved horse, she works full-time as an NHS diagnostic radiographer. After the pandemic, she decided that she was not in a place emotionally or financially to think about buying another dressage horse.

“Then someone said, would you like a New Forest pony? I said no, a few times, and she said, ‘Go on. Just come and get him and see how you go’,” she said.

“So I went and picked him up from the field – I thought he was huge because he was in the field with two 11hh ponies. I got him home and thought, ‘Jesus Christ, he’s tiny!’

“I had him on loan for the summer, got him back into work, took him on sponsored rides, and didn’t even consider doing dressage.

“Then his previous owner, Deborah Goldsworthy, asked if I wanted to buy him. She sold him to me for nothing. I train with Sara-Jane Lanning and she said, ‘Are you going to do some dressage with him?’”

Hannah dug out her competition kit and the pair won their first competition together with a huge 74.04%.

“He’s just exceeded every expectation, he’s got the best brain. He’s the most lovely person. He goes in there and he just wants to please, so training him is a joy,” said Hannah.

Riding at Hartpury is emotional for Hannah and her family. The 2016 Winter Dressage Championships were the last time her mum watched her compete before she died.

“That was the first year I’d ever been to the winter nationals and we won the novice restricted, as it was then,” she said.

“We all went home baffled because we didn’t really know what we were doing, I don’t think I even had a sparkly browband! So it’s always emotional, but it’s nice because I think she’s still watching and on the journey with us, even if she’s not here. And she would have liked Rodney.”

‘I hacked him out bareback on Monday’

Hannah’s journey with Stanley will always be in her heart.

“I had the time of my life [with Stanley] and did levels that I never thought I would,” she says. “It’s a very different journey with Rodney. As a rider, I’m blessed to have found him and that his owner gave me the opportunity to have him.

“His previous owner could have sold him for a lot more money, but she trusted that we would go on a journey together and have fun and that was all she really wanted. I’m very lucky.

“I’ve been reliving my childhood with him, it’s like having a Pony Club pony again – I hacked him out bareback on Monday.

“It’s a fun journey now, it was brilliant before, but there was pressure, and now there’s no pressure. I knew he was going to go in there today and not challenge the leaders. But I don’t care, he was here, he did it and scored 69.3%. How many people dream of getting nearly 70% of the nationals?

“Rodney lives out and gets ridden at whatever time of day I’m not at work – 5am, 8pm, whenever I can. My Dad is my hero. Work is full on and when I ring him and say I can’t get home, he’ll get him in, feed him, get him ready if I’m going to ride.

“When I got to 30 he might have been able to get rid of me, but he’s still there and he still bought my pictures!”

Public feeding or petting of horses could mean £1,000 fine under new rules

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:21:53 +0000

Anyone who feeds or pets ponies in the New Forest could be prosecuted and fined £1,000 in council plans that have now been approved.

Following overwhelming support in a public consultation, New Forest District Council (NFDC) has approved two public spaces protection orders (PSPOs). One bans lighting fires and barbecues, the other the feeding and petting of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the forest.

“Over the years, the dangers associated with members of the public feeding and petting roaming forest animals have been well documented, publicised and the subject of numerous high-profile campaigns, all with the aim of discouraging such behaviour,” the council said when it launched its public consultation on the plans last year. “It is evident that such behaviour continues on a large scale.”

A report on the PSPOs presented to the council’s cabinet last November set out the detrimental effect of petting and feeding, “namely a substantial risk that these activities increase the aggression of New Forest ponies, horses, mules or donkeys towards humans in the locality causing alarm and distress”.

It added that the practices also have a financial impact on New Forest commoners when animals are harmed, and means a risk of the equids’ being withdrawn from the area “to the detriment of the New Forest commoners and those who live, work or visit” the area concerned.

“As well as physical harm or worse caused to New Forest ponies, horses, mules or donkeys,” the report stated.

The PSPOs ban “feeding or providing or depositing food for consumption by any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey” as well as petting or touching the animals, in a set area “principally comprises the perambulation of the New Forest”.

Of those who took part in the consultation, 95% agreed with the PSPO on lighting fires and barbecues, and 91% on the ban on feeding and petting animals.

At a meeting on 5 April, the council’s cabinet agreed that based on evidence presented last year and these consultation results, “the relevant legal tests have been met” and it is appropriate to implement the PSPOs.

Anyone breaching the bans would be committing a criminal offence and could face a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.

“PSPOs, if used proportionately and in the right circumstances, allow us and our partners to counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour as they grant stronger enforcement powers and the ability to issue fixed penalties for breaches,” an NFDC spokesman said.

“Formal enforcement will be used proportionately, and there will be information issued about these new restrictions and clear signage will be in place.”

The PSPOs are expected to come into force on 1 July.

The devastating effects of speed: driver sentenced after pony’s death

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:09:56 +0000

The death of a pony after a collision with a car shows the “devastating” consequences of travelling at inappropriate speeds, police said.

The man who caused the death of the pony, in the New Forest last year, has been banned from driving and given a hefty fine, a punishment that “sends a strong message” to others.

Oliver William Haywood, of Woodgreen Common Road, Ringwood, had a small child in the back of the car when he hit the pony on Roger Penny Way on 7 August last year. Heywood and the infant sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision – but the pony died from its injuries at the scene.

The 25-year-old was convicted of driving without due care and attention. At West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court on 6 April, he was disqualified from driving for six months, fined £1,600 and ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.

Hampshire Constabulary PC Dan Channer said: “This incident shows the devastating effects of travelling at inappropriate speeds on our forest roads. While an animal has lost its life, the consequences could have been graver – there could have been a loss of human life too.

“The gravity of the fine handed down by the judge, coinciding with a driving ban, sends out a strong message. Drivers who see the forest’s wild animals must be mindful, react and slow down to give plenty of time and space. They do not have road sense, and the Highway Code gives them implicit right of way. It is our duty as road users to afford them safe passage by driving carefully and considerately when in the forest.

“Speed limits are put in place for a reason – and it is exactly that, a limit – not a target. Ponies, horses and other wild animals cross New Forest roads day and night and it is well signposted in these high-risk areas.”

‘That child was so lucky’: walkers warned to leave ponies alone after video shows the risks

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:51:41 +0000

A child who was “whipped away” from a pony in the New Forest was lucky not to have been seriously injured, the commoner who caught the incident on video has warned.

Sally Marsh shared the footage, of a family with a group of ponies on a wide area of grassland in Brockenhurst, online, as a plea to stop visitors trying to touch or feed the animals.

She told H&H she was out with her stepfather to check their own ponies when she saw the family.

“They’d tried to fuss some other ponies about 100 yards down,” she said. “I saw them going up to this other group and I said to my stepdad: ‘Pull over’ because I knew exactly what was going to happen.”

The footage shows the family with two ponies, a grey and a bay. The small child appears to try to touch the grey on its belly.

“Then the bay mare starts to swing round, which sends the grey into a panic,” Sally said. “It’s all over in a flash but the child was so, so lucky. That she was pulled away in time, and that the pony didn’t kick out, because it would have caught her straight in the head.”

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Sally said the video demonstrates the huge issues caused by visitors to the forest.

“It drives me crazy,” she said. “People say we need more signs but I’ve seen someone feeding ponies from a big bag of carrots, which was hanging on the sign saying not to feed them. What else can we do? Where has common sense gone?

“Parents wouldn’t encourage their children to go up to a stranger but they do encourage them to go up to a 350kg animal that bites at one end and kicks at the other. It blows my mind.”

Sally said that despite the extensive measures taken to educate visitors on why they should not touch or feed the ponies, the message is not getting through.

She has seen grass cuttings dumped in the forest, and carrots dumped on roads to try to attract ponies there for photographs. She has seen or heard of ponies fighting over the food, becoming vicious – and choking to death on the carrots fed to them. And this is on top of the danger to people trying to interact with them, as seen in the video.

“We’ve had signs, people giving out advice and leaflets in car parks but whether people listen or not is the problem, and most of the time they don’t.”

From July, people who feed or pet animals in the New Forest could be fined, which Sally believes is a positive step.

“At least we have got to that point, although I don’t know how it will be implemented,” she said. “This is a beautiful place and I want people to enjoy it but they have to respect it.

“I don’t want to pick on this family but if this video stays in someone’s mind and they don’t get too close, it might save one child, or one pony.”

‘Don’t rule the oldies out!’ 28-year-old ‘pocket rocket’ mare and 75-year-old rider win national title

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 18:05:09 +0000

A rider who took a national TREC title on her 28-year-old New Forest pony urged others “don’t rule the oldies out!”

Mary Weston was referring to her mare Cape Clear Casey with whom she took the level 2A individual class, one of a number of veterans to be victorious at the 2022 championships, and Mary herself was 75 when she took her victory. There are three phases to a TREC competition: orienteering, control of paces and obstacles. The combination, or pair in a pairs class, with the most points is the winner.

Mary’s first pony was also a New Forest – “My mother, bless her, bought a four-year-old and taught me to ride and backed the pony at the same time,” – and she has been competing in TREC since 1999. She bought Casey seven years ago, after she lost her Welsh cob Jack.

“Both my daughters thought I was crazy as she was 21 and 13.2hh; they thought I was on the rebound from Jack, but it turned out to be a wonderful decision,” Mary told H&H. “She’s lovely, and a real pocket rocket. She loves hunting – or did until I decided it was too fast for me and I couldn’t cope any more – and is just a very nice person. She took to TREC like a duck to water.”

Mary and Casey headed to the TREC GB National Championships at Higher Counthill Farm, Oldham, (13-14 August) after what had not been their most successful season.

“I did five competitions before it this year and got lost in three of them!” Mary said. “So I’d said the national would be our swansong, and no one was more surprised than me at the end of the orienteering to find I was in the lead by some margin.”

Picture by Chris Gibson Photography (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The second day involved the control of paces test – a “corridor” 150cm wide and 150m long, along which Mary and Casey had to canter as slowly as possibly and walk as fast as possible – followed by 16 obstacles including bending posts, a bank, a ditch and a maze of poles. Points are lost for touching poles in the maze, for example, and awarded for completing that obstacle at trot rather than walk. And when the two days’ scored were finalised, Mary and Casey came out on top.

“TREC is about the bond between yourself and your horse; you can’t buy a made TREC horse,” Mary said. “The horse has to trust you and understand what you’re asking, and it’s very much a test of rideablity.

“That was my individual swansong, although I’ll still do pairs,” said Mary. “She’s earned her stripes.

“TREC is a lovely sport and you go to some glorious places but I need the safety of someone else with me so I don’t get lost!”

Casey will now have an easier winter, Mary said, adding that her win, as well as the fact the level four national championship went to 23-year-old Bradley, with Jackie Bennet, and one of the level two pairs winners was Judy Clarke on Rusty, aged 26, shows that veterans still have a huge amount to offer.

“Don’t rule the oldies out!” she said.

‘I love the bones of him’: meet the blue roan HOYS New Forest champion

Stephanie Bateman — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:35:16 +0000

Stunning blue roan stallion Lovelyhill Folklore went one better than his runner-up spot here last year to land the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) New Forest championship title with Vikki Smith.

Lovelyhill Folklore, and 11-year-old by Applewitch Pure Magic and out of Yewtree On High, is owned by Penny Sutton and has been produced and ridden by Vikki for two years.

“He felt amazing,” exclaimed an ecstatic Vikki. “He’s jumping in the workers tomorrow, too, so he’s a really versatile pony. I’m so pleased with him.”

Lovelyhill Folklore is a covering stallion alongside his ridden duties, but juggles the two jobs easily.

“He’s got both fillies and colts on the ground this year and has thrown a few roans, although not a blue roan yet – we’re still waiting for one of those,” said Vikki. “He’s cheeky, but he’s always got his ears forward and loves his work. He’s a pleasure to have around and really is an outstanding stallion. He’s a little pocket rocket and I love the bones off him. He gave me everything today.”

Vikki jumps the stallion once and week and schools him once a week, and they hack the rest of the time.

“He goes out in the pitch black and up the main road and doesn’t bat an eyelid at anything,” she explained. “He’s just mega.”

The stallion will now be prepared for the working hunter class tomorrow.

“He’ll then do the Heritage championships before the Olympia qualifier, and then it’s up his owner what he does next,” added Vikki.

The runner-up spot was awarded to Hilltop Ned and Rebecca Penny, while third place went to Backley Dream Maker and Danielle Hughes.

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‘Our hard work is being recognised’: home-produced New Forest mare leads 29-strong RIHS amateur field

Alex Robinson — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 10:27:25 +0000

A home-produced New Forest mare was crowned top of her class, the UKPH amateur ridden final, at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

Purewell Poppy Lou, a six-year-old bay mare, and Jessica Norris headed a strong field of 29 entries, before judges Erik Mackechnie-Guire (show) and Kathleen Scott (conf).

Poppy is owned by Jessica’s mother-in-law, Lindsay Miller, and the pair were making one of two appearances at the 2022 RIHS, as they’re also through to the Pretty Polly Heritage final later in the week.

Jessica, who was initially pulled fifth after the go-round, couldn’t believe it when she was called into the top spot:

“We came here last year, but didn’t get anywhere as it was only our fourth show together,” said Essex-based Jessica. “I am speechless.”

Jessica began working for Lindsay aged 16, where she met her now husband.

“I’ve ridden Lindsay’s ponies ever since,” added home-producer Jessica, who backed and has produced Poppy through the ranks herself. “Poppy has always been out of this world. She is my dream pony; I even took her cross-country schooling when I was six months pregnant. She can have her moments but she doesn’t have a bad bone in her body. In the future, I hope my daughter will ride her.”

Jessica and Poppy landed their UKPH amateur ridden qualification at NPS Area 14 in April. At Royal Windsor, they finished fourth in the open Connemara and New Forest class, being the only mare placed.

“We were pulled in fifth today and the judge asked for a short, simple show, so I did just that,” said Jessica, who was joined at Hickstead by Lindsay. “I can’t believe that we’re finally getting recognised for all the hard work we’ve put in.”

Katherine Marks and her Welsh section D stallion, Thorneyside Guardsman, finished reserve, with Highland Lochlands Lord Byron and Oliver Bradshaw standing third.

Warning over Hackneys’ future in latest rare-breeds watchlist

Becky Murray — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 18:03:47 +0000

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is “renewing its warning” about the future of the Hackney horse and pony, after just 31 registered foals were born last year.

The 2022/23 RBST watchlist published this month features seven breeds in the “priority” category; Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Exmoors and Eriskays. Clydesdales, Fells, Highlands, New Forests and Shires have been classed as “at risk”. Shetlands and Welsh ponies and cobs appear in the “UK native breeds” category, and Connemaras and Irish Draughts are listed in the “Irish breeds in the UK” category. The categories are based on population size, taking into account numbers of males and females and the degree of inbreeding. All the breeds remain in the same category as the 2021/22 watchlist.

The RBST reported that while the numbers of Eriskays, Suffolks and Cleveland Bays remains low, the “stability in the breeds’ data in 2021 is positive”. But there are “extreme concerns” around Hackneys.

“The Hackney breed, which already had very low numbers, has seen further decline over the past year with just 31 females producing registered progeny from only 12 breeders. This compares with more than 300 breeding females registered in 2011,” said an RBST spokesman, adding that the organisation is urging more people to support the breed’s modern uses.

Mark Hardy, chairman of the Hackney Horse Society, told H&H the pandemic and increase in the cost of living had caused issues for breeders, and they are also limited in choices as there are so few of them.

“After the Second World War, there was a big revival of Hackneys and at the time there were lots of breeders and trainers. But as time has gone on, many have passed away or moved on to other things,” he said.

“As an organisation, we are really trying to promote the breed and show how versatile it is and hopefully we will see more people using them in other disciplines and create more demand. People usually associate Hackneys with driving and showing, but they’re also very good all-rounders.”

According to the RBST, the number of Shire foals registered last year was 228, down from 250 in 2020. The number of overall New Forest breeders registering progeny has declined – as has the number of dams, which the RBST classifies as mares who have had at least one foal, but the breed still has the greatest number of dams of all the rare equine breeds. Though Dartmoors and Exmoors remain on the priority list for 2022/23, there has been an “important increase” in the number of dams, which is “crucial” for managing inbreeding in breeds with low numbers.

“The Exmoor data is the highest recorded since 2017, with the number of dams up 37% on 2020 and Dartmoors have also made significant progress with the number of breeders registering progeny at its highest since 2011, and the number of dams up 46% on 2020,” RBST senior conversation adviser Tom Blunt told H&H.

“Both breeds have also seen an improvement in effective population size which indicates successful management of inbreeding.”

‘When he first saw a pole, he melted’: How a New Forest went from terrified jumper to Badminton and HOYS winner

Alex Robinson — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 08:32:16 +0000

With a seriously impressive CV which includes wins at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), the grassroots championships at Badminton Horse Trials and most county shows, is there anything high-flying native pony Willoway Free Spirit cannot do?

“Spirit”, a 20-year-old New Forest stallion standing at 143cm, is owned and produced by Laura Avery.

In 2021, Spirit and Laura reigned at HOYS in the mountain and moorland (M&M) 143cm working hunter pony of the year final, a championship they’d been trying to bag for a decade.

Spirit made history in 2017 when he became the first native pony to win at Badminton Horse Trials in the BE 90 grassroots championship.

Laura was first acquainted with Spirit 11 years ago, when she went to visit the late Maria Large at the Willoway Stud about purchasing a pony.

“While I was there Maria asked if I’d like to have a sit on Spirit,” says Laura. “To my surprise, Maria then asked me if I would be up for producing him for her. I was honoured and jumped at the chance.

“Initially, we aimed at flat classes, qualifying for HOYS and a few years down the line I got a phone call from Maria who told me she had decided to sell Spirit. She said that if I was interested, that I could have him. I managed to get the funds together and I’m so grateful to Maria for giving me the opportunity to call him my own.

“We then turned our attention to jumping and while he now loves the job, when he first started he was awful; the first time he saw a trotting pole he just melted and was completely hysterical.

“Spirit has now jumped at HOYS about 10 times. At the 2021 final everything finally came together on the day and he got his deserved win.

“At home, he’s the soppiest, softest pony and you would have no idea he is a stallion. He can be sharp and he likes things done his way, but he’s never nasty.

“My trainer, Mike Jackson, was amazing and he tuned us up as best he could on the run up. We went to Badminton with the intention of just enjoying it; it was always my dream to gallop Spirit around that famous park and as soon as we drove in I savoured every moment.

“Traditionally, I never check my dressage score until after the cross-country and showjumping as it takes the pressure off, but my phone started to blow up after the scores were revealed; we were in first place. The showjumping was a proper test for Spirit.

“He’s a little native pony jumping horse distances but he pinged round and when we’d finished I couldn’t believe we’d jumped a double clear at Badminton. He gave me the ride of my life that day and winning was a crazy, surreal experience.”

Initially, Laura’s trainer Mike Jackson wasn’t very inspired when he heard he would be working with a New Forest pony:

“But I was completely amazed, and I still am, by how athletic Spirit was,” he explains. “He’s a mini horse — he’s a smaller version of Big Star — and he constantly impresses me with his technical ability and scope. He’s a bit of a freak of nature. He can turn his hoof to anything and he’s a very adaptable jumper.”

Salt-lick trial may help save ponies’ lives

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:29:48 +0000

Salt licks have been sited in an area of the New Forest notorious for animal-related road collisions, in an attempt to keep grazing animals away from the highway.

In the trial scheme, which has come about after a year of discussions with Natural England and Forestry England, the licks have been put some 135m back from Roger Penny Way, one of the worst roads in the forest for accidents involving animals.

Charlotte Lines, chair of the New Forest Commoners Defence Association, told H&H 17 of the licks, in open-top containers, and tyres, and chained to trees, have been set out, and the situation will be monitored to see if ponies and other animals are using them.

“When the gritters come out in winter, the animals come out to the roads to lick the salt, so this trial is to try giving the ponies, donkeys and cattle an alternative, safe place to get salt,” she said.

The association had to have the licks manufactured, as there was nothing similar on the market. Once the weather improves, they will be removed, but Mrs Lines said the idea may be rolled out to other areas of the forest if it is a success.

But both Mr Howells and Mrs Lines said that although the licks may help, there will still be many animals on and near the forest’s roads, on which they have right of way.

“The message is that drivers still need to take care, especially when it’s dark and icy, and be aware; expect the unexpected,” Mrs Lines said.

Last year, 12 ponies were killed in accidents in the forest, a further 12 had to be put down as a result of their injuries and nine more sustained minor injuries. Five donkeys were killed, six had to be put down and two were less seriously injured.

Anyone who has an accident involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep is required by law to report it to the police by calling 999 as soon as possible.

‘Traditions need to change’: pony killed by car after trying to escape fireworks

Becky Murray — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 21:03:27 +0000

The owner of a pony who died when he was struck by a car after he jumped out of his field while trying to flee from nearby fireworks has said “traditions need to change”.

Claire Willard’s 18-month New Forest colt Archer jumped a five-bar gate out of his field in Marchwood, Hampshire, on 4 November. When more fireworks went off Archer ran onto the road into the path of a car and was killed.

Claire told H&H she received a telephone call from Sarah Mills, Archer’s breeder and owner of his fieldmate Harry, shortly before 10pm to tell her Archer had died.

“Sarah lives round the corner from the field and saw on a local Facebook group that a pony had escaped while fireworks were going off so she went to check the ponies. A motorist had seen Archer standing by the gate so stopped and put his hazard lights on to try and warn others while he tried to find out who owned him,” she said.

“He told Sarah that while he was in his car Archer spooked again as more fireworks went off and he ran onto the road and was hit head first by an oncoming vehicle. We think he died instantly.”

**Warning: very upsetting image**

“I wouldn’t usually take pictures or post something like that but I wanted people to see the aftermath of what can happen when fireworks are let off near livestock. Archer was only 12.2hh, he was in a five acre field, and was still scared enough to jump a five-bar gate,” she said.

“Sarah and I are both devastated. I had known Archer since he was foal and bought him from Sarah earlier this year. The plan was he’d spend the winter with Harry then come to join my other ponies in the spring.”

“I’ve had so many messages of condolences, but also messages from people saying they never thought fireworks could have an impact like this so the post has got people thinking,” said Claire.

“If people are so determined to see fireworks then they should go to an organised display and have some common sense around animals. I know fireworks are seen as a tradition, but in this day and age sometimes traditions need to change.”

‘We’ve been trying to get this title for years’: New Forest pony scores HOYS win after 11 years of trying

Stephanie Bateman — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 11:45:37 +0000

Laura Avery’s dreams finally came true when her 19-year-old New Forest pony stallion Willoway Free Spirit, topped the line-up of the M&M working hunter pony 143cm championship at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Laura has owned the stallion by Peveril Peter Piper out of Mercury Amy, for eight years, and this was their 12th HOYS ticket.

“He was bred by Maria Large of Willoway Stud who sadly passed away this year,” said Laura. “I produced him for a couple of years for her and then she sold him to me. We’ve been trying to get this title for years. Thankfully, the course suited him today – it was a bit more open and free-flowing. It’s just luck of the day when you get here.”

The pair qualified at Stoneleigh Horse Show, their first show of the year.

“He hasn’t done a lot this year because he qualified at his first show and then I did Lincoln to give him a run and then Royal International,” she said. “He got really bored over lockdown because I chucked him out with the cows – he was miserable and bored. He hates sitting in the field doing nothing, he loves to be out at his parties and I’d miss him too much. He’s still as cheeky as ever.”

Alongside showing, ‘Spirit’ also events and won the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton in 2017.

“We live on a farm and don’t have a school, so we mostly just hack around the farm and go and borrow a friend’s arena and have a few lessons with eventer Michael Jackson,” explained Laura. “People ask me how I keep him in such good nick, but it’s down to having good conformation. He’s an utter sweetheart and we’ll keep going as long as he’s happy to do so.”

Quantity surveyor tops New Forest final at Horse of the Year Show 2021

Stephanie Bateman — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 13:59:25 +0000

QUANTITY surveyor Ellena Thomas took time out of her busy work schedule to ride New Forest pony Hilltop Ned to victory at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2021.

She and Karyn Thomas have owned the eight-year-old stallion by Brookshill Mustang out of Hilltop Daisy for three years.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” said Ellena of her win. “This was his first open season as last season was pretty disrupted due to Covid, so this was both our first time at HOYS in the arena. We came here with no expectations. With it being his first year out, we just wanted him to go well, take it all in and enjoy himself.”

Ellan qualified the stallion, bred by Lucinda Lang, at Stoneleigh Horse Show.

“He’d done some in-hand showing as a youngster and then we got him, backed him and produced him on,” added Ellena. “He really hasn’t done too much. As a novice, we were careful not to overdo it with him in the showring and it’s helped to keep him fresh and keen.”

Outside of showing, and when she’s not working Ellena enjoys hacking Ned.

“I work during the day and then come back and ride the horses in the evenings,” she said. “It’s long hours but I have a good team behind me working hard at home to keep it ticking over during the day.

“It helps that he’s really laid back and very good at home – he’s 100% to deal with it,” she said. “He hasn’t bred yet, but he will do in the future. He’s going to the Heritage championships next week so fingers crossed for a Liverpool ticket – you never know!”

Runner up spot went to Vikki Smith and Lovelyhill Folklore, while third place was awarded to Doorage Olympic Boy and Amy Smith.

Plans for New Forest speed cameras to save animals’ lives

Becky Murray — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 20:31:40 +0000

Drivers are playing “Russian roulette” with animals’ lives in the New Forest, as calls are made to install average-speed cameras.

Thousands of people have signed petitions asking for the cameras to be installed at Roger Penny Way, following a number of fatal collisions involving multiple animals. The first petition, created by Gilly Jones of the New Forest Roads Awareness group, asked the New Forest District Council (NFDC) to support the installation of cameras. The petition was open to New Forest residents between January and September and received 3,557 signatures.

A second petition, open to the general public, was created by commoner Sarah Weston after her four-year-old gelding Juma was killed on Roger Penny Way in August. The petition, which is still open and can be signed here, received more than 50,000 signatures in 10 days and has been submitted to the authorities. It is hoped a feasibility study could be launched to show the need for the cameras, but this will need funding.

From 1 January to date, nine ponies and three donkeys have been killed in the New Forest; six more ponies and three donkeys have been injured and had to be put down.

“Since Juma died, there have been several more accidents and time is of the essence. Drivers are playing Russian roulette with our ponies,” Ms Weston told H&H.

“There is a lot of talk but not enough action. This is a national park and a national issue. We need the feasibility study to happen quickly and efficiently, and we need to examine the results carefully so we know what we’re up against. If the study finds the cameras will work sufficiently, then we need them on these dangerous roads.”

New Forest head agister Jonathan Gerrelli told H&H the topic of average-speed cameras has been raised by the verderers and commoners several times over the last five years. He said meetings were held with the police, but at the time infrastructure and technology were issues, such as the signal required for the cameras to operate, and the costs involved in installing and maintaining the cameras.

“We felt average-speed cameras would be a way of helping with the animal accident issue, but at the time it was not as simple as we first hoped or imagined it might be. There are a lot of different bodies and authorities that need to come together, but there is quite a push at the moment to go that next step. Technology has improved and installing cameras is something the different Forest bodies are behind,” he said, adding that the verderers have agreed to help fund the feasibility study.

A spokesman for the NFDC told H&H the council would support an initiative that reduces speed on Roger Penny Way, but added that the district council does not have the authority to administer enforcement activities on the public highway. The spokesman confirmed the council will debate Ms Jones’s petition, and will “undoubtedly feature” Ms Weston’s petition within the debate.

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for highways operations, told H&H the county council is aware of Ms Weston’s petition, but that average-speed cameras would require the full support of Hampshire Constabulary, which is responsible for speed enforcement. He added that any scheme would need to be operated by the force on a full recovery cost basis.

“Should they support this, there would need to be further discussions between various agencies, and a specialist feasibility study undertaken before any final decision can be made,” he said.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed to H&H the force has been engaged in talks with parties including the NFDC and the verderers in the past two years about average-speed cameras, but said there is currently “no policing justification” or funding opportunities to support this.

“There are a number of local partners involved in making such a decision, including the NFDC, Hampshire Constabulary and the police and crime commissioner – in consultation with the New Forest verderers. It is not the sole responsibility of Hampshire Constabulary, but a partnership approach,” said the police spokesman.

“Previously, we have worked in partnership with organisations including the National Park Authority, Forest Rangers and Commoners Defence Association to raise awareness of animals killed by collisions in the New Forest. There are a number of community speed watch groups, which operate using equipment supplied by the NFDC, and are focused on education and a visible presence in the area, allowing for the gathering of evidence of offending which may lead to consideration of enforcement action.”

Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones told H&H she had spoken with the Hampshire Constabulary rural crime team and Now Forest policing team in relation to concerns around speeding and animal road deaths.

“Any solution will need the cooperation of the highways authority and the NFDC, so it is important that all agencies work together to explore all feasible options in order to determine the right way forward,” she said.

“I am in contact with the official verderer with regards to next steps.”

Rare breeds championed at county show

Alex Robinson — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 19:01:33 +0000

At the Norfolk Equestrian Show (28 July), an Exmoor pony and a New Forest pony took top honours as the two Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) rare breed supreme champions.

The winning Exmoor and receiver of the RBST priority breeds title was nine-year-old gelding Threeshires Edgar, owned and bred by Liz Barker and shown by Susannah Muir.

“He is such a calm and lovely pony,” said Susannah. “He wants to please and will try anything. This was only his second big show and he was absolutely perfect.

“Rare breeds have brought so much to other breeds – even some of today’s eventers have bloodlines that can be traced back to native ponies like the Exmoor.

“They are sure-footed and healthy ponies and it is important not only to keep the breed but also to ensure that the standards are maintained.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

New Forest pony Marleydenes Miriam (above), a four-year-old bay mare shown by Abigail Staff, was awarded the RBST at risk breeds accolade.

Abigail, who won at the Horse of the Year Show in 2015 on a New Forest pony, says that she has been gradually converted to the breed and now has three New Forest ponies:

“They are unique ponies,” she said. “They are show-offs, but extremely loyal and versatile, a lovely breed. We can’t afford to lose the native breeds that we are slowly losing and it is important to bring them out to shows like this so that more people can see and appreciate them.”

Seven of the rare native equine breeds listed as ‘priority’ or ‘at risk’ on the RBST watchlist were represented among the 19 rare-breed entrants. Other rare breeds showcased were the Fell pony, Highland pony, Dales pony, Dartmoor pony, and Cleveland Bay horse. The Shire, also on the RBST watchlist, was represented in the show’s Shire horse classes.

“It was fantastic to see so many of the UK’s rare native breeds showcased here,” said RBST chief executive Christopher Price. “The competitors did the UK’s native breeds proud with a very high standard of agility, skill and composure on display from them all.”

Picture of mare mourning dead foal after hit and run released to increase driver awareness

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:21:36 +0000

Campaigners trying to reduce road collisions involving animals in the New Forest have released a picture of a mare mourning her deal foal to try to explain the impact such incidents have.

The months-old colt had to be put down owing to the “horrific” injuries he suffered in a hit and run. He was found on the morning of 3 July, the result of a third fatal collision in three weeks.

Gilly Jones, of the New Forest Roads Awareness group, told H&H a donkey foal and a jenny had been killed on the previous weekends, and that she hoped the picture might help bring the message home to drivers, as well as encouraging any witnesses to come forward.

“This one was found at about 10am, but we can’t pinpoint exactly where he was or when he’d been hit as he was still mobile,” she said.

“How the little mite was still walking, I don’t know. He’d been hit very much from the rear and had a severe flesh wound, down to the bone, round three quarters of his hind leg. The pictures we have of it are horrific; I couldn’t share them. Because of his wounds, he had to be put down, for his own welfare.”

None of the recent collisions had been reported, Ms Jones said.

“It might be people not knowing they should,” she said. “Common sense would tell you to but I won’t say too much more about that.

“There’s an urban myth that you can get penalty points and a fine for hitting the animals, which is rubbish; the main thing is to report any accidents, so the animal can get the treatment it needs.”

Ms Jones said the message to put out is that drivers must respect the animals who live in the forest; as soon as they cross a cattle grid in the road, they should be alert.

“You’ve got to respect them, and their owners,” she said. “We always say a forest pony has the sense of a three-year-old child, and the foals have none.

“If you’re not worried about the animals, which some don’t, think about yourself and any other people in your vehicle, hitting an animal that size at 40mph won’t do the vehicle or anyone inside it any good at all.”

Ms Jones promoted the New Forest verderers’ scheme through which anyone who provides evidence of a collision that leads to a prosecution can claim a £5,000 reward.

“That’s been paid at least a couple of times in the past year or so,” she said. “Some people have refused to take it, which is really nice, but with dash camera footage or people coming forward with other information, maybe mechanics who have seen a damaged car; it’s all helpful.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Jacqui Vanderhoek)

‘Don’t push tourism over what’s best for the New Forest and its ponies’ H&H Plus

(Image credit: Jacqui Vanderhoek)

Mare filmed jumping over car door shows dangerous consequences of feeding horses

“I’m worried this problem is going to erupt when lockdown is lifted if we don’t get the message across”

(Image credit: Jacqui Vanderhoek)

“The other thing is that some of the comments on social media after an animal’s hit are so vile, it can unfortunately put people off reporting, but it has to be done.

“With this foal, it was lucky someone was vigilant and saw him, and he didn’t just crawl off behind a gorse bush to die.”

The group is campaigning for average speed cameras on the B3078 through the forest, and if this succeeds, they will try to get them on the four main routes through the area.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘Don’t push tourism over what’s best for the New Forest and its ponies’ H&H Plus

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 30 May 2021 10:02:14 +0000

Concerns have been raised over an impression that the New Forest is being pushed as a tourism destination at the possible expense of the environment, locals and ponies. H&H speaks to those who live and work there, and the authorities

THE priority for the New Forest should be protecting the animals, environment and people over tourism, it has been suggested, by those who believe the opposite is true.

New Forest resident and parish councillor Brice Stratford told H&H issues that have been “simmering” for years have come to a head as a result of lockdown.

“The authorities essentially shut up shop,” he said. “There was very little in the way of support and help, and certainly no enforcement.”

Mr Stratford feels the authorities push the forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty and site of special scientific interest, as a destination for tourism, and that increased numbers of people cause issues to the ponies and environment.

“Before the National Parks Authority [NPA] took over in 2005, there was a well-established infrastructure of councils, verderers, commoners and so on; everyone had a long history of involvement and understood the forest,” he said.

Mr Stratford said the past year had been “binge tourism”, with people petting ponies, feeding them and so attracting them towards roads, and even putting toddlers on board for pictures.

“The people who cause the problems seem to have a lovely notion of ‘going back to nature’, then they go home and don’t see the consequences,” he said. “Because the ponies are free-roaming, there seems to be this entitlement. Locals try desperately to educate people but the response is often hostile.

“Last year the authorities came up with a New Forest code but without enforcement or actively pushing it as important, it’s not helpful. They sell it as helping people enjoy the forest, with interesting facts, but it should be about protecting the forest and the animals.

“The forest is pushed as a tourism destination and the ponies are such a symbol of the forest, people who don’t know any better feel entitled to feed them and pet them. It’s not that no one should come here but priorities need to change.”

Sue Westwood, clerk to the verderers of the New Forest, told H&H she agrees with much of this.

“I won’t say the NPA actively promotes recreation over the forest, as it has a number of priorities and its first one is conservation,” she said. “Shall we say the verderers remind them of that from time to time, and have done so recently.”

“I don’t disagree with Mr Stratford at all, the question is: what do we do about it?”

She added that the verderers are in constant talks with the authority and Forestry England on how best to educate people, but this is “not an easy thing to achieve”.

“Obviously people want to come and enjoy the forest, but they’re in danger of destroying the very thing they’re coming to enjoy,” she said.

Nigel Matthews, head of recreation management and learning at the New Forest NPA told H&H more people than usual had visited the forest in the past year.

“While the majority respect the national park, we have experienced some anti-social behaviours,” he said. “As a result, we now have a joint action plan with other New Forest organisations to ensure people don’t inadvertently harm the place they have come to enjoy.

“The New Forest NPA is not, and never has been, the official tourism body of the national park. We are working with tourism promoter Go New Forest to ensure key information is given to visitors.

“Core to this is the New Forest code – a clear set of nine actions and guidance on how everyone can care for the forest, its protected wildlife and the free-roaming livestock.”

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Mare filmed jumping over car door shows dangerous consequences of feeding horses

Becky Murray — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:02:46 +0000

A shocking viral video showing a mare jumping over an open car door on the New Forest after ponies became aggressive has highlighted the dangerous consequences of the public feeding horses.

The video, filmed in November last year, shows a herd of ponies surrounding cars at Cadnam Cricket car park. As the ponies become aggressive towards each other, a mare tries to escape by jumping over the car door, where she becomes stuck but manages to free herself.

**Warning this video contains strong language**

Commoner Jacqui Vanderhoek, who owns the mare, Zammy, told H&H she was made aware of the video when it was sent to her husband Tony the day after it was shared online.

“I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “Zammy got stuck on the door and it looked like she was going to break her leg. You then see her come back to the car sniffing for food.

“I don’t know if the people who filmed the video had fed the ponies and it got out of control, or if they turned up after someone had fed them, or if they just filmed it for entertainment.”

It is understood the car owner, who filmed the video, had not fed the ponies and they were attracted to his car by the smell of baby food. He said he was in support of signs being put up asking the public not to feed the ponies.

Jacqui said when she went to check Zammy, who was not injured in the incident, she found the mare being fed apples by a group of teenagers.

“It’s depressing. We never feed our ponies by hand, they are only fed from a bucket on the ground, but since being fed by people Zammy has started biting,” she said.

“Last weekend when we went to check the ponies we found one of our other mares Anna choking. She was drooling and we couldn’t clear it so we had to get the vet. All the ponies smelt strongly of savoury pies, and we’ve since been told that large quantities of human food is being dumped in bushes.”

Anna choking (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Jacqui raised the video of Zammy at the virtual Verderers Court, a statutory body that governs the management of the livestock on the New Forest, last month in the hope of raising public awareness.

“We check our ponies every day and there are rangers on the forest doing checks but we can’t watch them 24 hours a day. You see people chucking food out of cars, or parents letting their children feed the ponies, it’s like they think they’re in a safari park,” she said.

“I’ve tried to educate people and ask them very politely not to feed the ponies but they wait for you to leave and carry on. I haven’t got the power to do anything about it and I’m worried this problem is going to erupt when lockdown is lifted if we don’t get the message across.”

New Forest head agister Jonathan Gerrelli told H&H the video highlights the dangers that can arise through something that people might see as an “innocent pastime”.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Jacqui Vanderhoek)

‘An act of kindness could be a death sentence’: pony chokes on carrots left by roadside

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(Image credit: Jacqui Vanderhoek)

“People think by giving a piece of bread or carrot to a pony ‘what harm can it do?’, and this video shows the harm it does do. It puts them the animal in danger, it puts the person in danger and it’s something people should not be doing,” he said.

“We all know when you have ponies in a herd situation they have a pecking order and they can become quite boisterous and aggressive among themselves around food – and they can become quite demanding and aggressive to people too.

“We have had one or two nasty accidents where people have been bitten and kicked by ponies or donkeys that have been fed, and it’s simply because they become used to being fed by people and as soon as they see the next person with a bag they’re across there thinking they’re going to get another carrot. There are real consequences involved and it can escalate into a big problem very quickly.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘An act of kindness could be a death sentence’: pony chokes on carrots left by roadside

Becky Murray — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 18:05:50 +0000

An image of a pony choking on chopped carrots left in the New Forest has gone viral – as the public are urged to consider that their acts of kindness could be a “death sentence”.

Park ranger and commoner Erika Dovey received a call about a mare who was seen in distress on Sunday afternoon (24 January) at Hilltop, near Beaulieu.

Erika, who was first on the scene before agister Andrew Napthie arrived, told H&H the mare “could hardly breathe”.

“There were chopped carrots that had been left by the roadside for the ponies and a chunk had got stuck. She was foaming at the mouth and very unhappy,” she said.

“I rang the pony’s owner who came straight away. The problem is, the ponies are semi-feral so we were unable to catch the mare.”

Erika said although the pony appeared to have cleared the blockage herself and it was thought she was recovering, she has since been taken off the forest and the owner is seeking veterinary attention.

“These ponies are adapted to grazing on the New Forest and they’re not used to eating things like carrots and apples,” she said.

“The public feeding horses has become a daily problem here; it’s not just carrots and apples, it’s grass cuttings and hedge trimmings too. In my job I try to educate people that it’s not good to feed the livestock but Covid has exacerbated the problem. I understand people want to get outside but they need to understand their act of kindness ultimately could be a death sentence for the ponies.”

Erika added that as well risking colic or choking, feeding the ponies on the New Forest can ultimately lead to the ponies’ having to be removed or put down.

“It’s dangerous to feed them because the ponies can become very aggressive and the commoners can be asked to remove them from the New Forest. Around five years ago I had to have a pony put down who had become aggressive,” she said.

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“This is a huge problem and we worry about our ponies. People don’t realise all the animals are owned. We check on them and they have enough to eat – they don’t need help.”

The image of the mare was shared on Facebook in a post that has received more than 7,500 shares. Erika said although there are already various campaigns asking people not to feed the animals in the New Forest, she hopes the message can reach as many people as possible.

“I don’t want to be negative as lots of people don’t realise they’re doing anything wrong and you can have good conversations with them and provide education,” she said. “But there are some who don’t seem to care because that’s what they want to do – come to the New Forest and feed the ponies. It’s an issue that needs to be addressed.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

More forest deaths highlight need for driver awareness H&H Plus

Becky Murray — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:49:40 +0000

Pictures and stories of ponies and other animals killed on the roads of the New Forest are sadly not rare — but seven equids died in two incidents last month. H&H speaks to those involved trying to protect the ponies

MORE animal deaths on the New Forest roads have highlighted the need for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to drive in accordance with road conditions.

Three donkeys were killed in a collision with a van on 12 December, while four ponies died as a result of a collision with a 4×4 on 31 December.

During 2020, agisters attended 105 accidents involving stock (ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep and pigs), compared to 159 in 2019. In total, 29 ponies died in 2020 compared to 35 in 2019. Seven donkeys died in 2020, compared to eight in 2019.

Head agister Jonathan Gerelli told H&H while figures were down in 2020, there had been a “bad run” of incidents during the last six weeks, including cows and sheep being killed in hit and runs.

“The bad part of my job is having to inform the owner their animal has been killed. It’s heartbreaking for them,” he said. “When you’re driving in the forest there is a blanket 40mph speed limit, but it doesn’t mean you have to drive at that speed.

“When it’s dark and there’s poor visibility, don’t just barrel on regardless and say, ‘I’m only doing 40mph,’ that can be too fast in those situations. People become complacent, they get so used to a route and forget the animals are there.”

Mr Gerrelli added the authorities place grit mixed with salt on the roads during bad weather, which the animals lick from the road, but it was “difficult to say” if this had been a contributing factor to the collisions.

“With the ponies it may well have been [related to ponies licking the salt] but I don’t know if the road had been gritted that night. The donkey incident I don’t think was related,” he said.

Mark Ferrertt, whose daughter Katie owned the ponies killed on 31 December, told H&H the number of collisions are “inexcusable”, adding that the family lost two ponies previously.

“To receive a phone call you’re always shocked and disappointed, but this was a major blow to Katie and the work she’s done in keeping those ponies,” he said. “Commoners are fed up with losing their animals to drivers who cannot respect the area. If people don’t stop abusing the forest these young commoners will give up and leave.”

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary told H&H the death of the ponies and donkeys were “tragic accidents”, and this was a “timely reminder” to drivers to be aware of their surroundings.

“We conducted a thorough investigation into both incidents and there is no evidence to suggest either driver was speeding or driving carelessly. As such, no further action is being taken against either driver at this time,” he said.

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Boom in native pony sales despite pandemic

Sarah Radford — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 12:06:42 +0000

Horse prices seem to be strong across the UK this year. H&H looks into how this trend has been affecting native pony sales

THIS autumn’s native pony sales have achieved some of the strongest turnover in decades, echoing what appears to be a boom in horse prices across the UK.

The Fell Pony Society’s annual sale on 31 October also achieved the strongest prices for many years, with Townend Oran, a black mare put forward by Mrs E Robinson of Penrith, selling for 3,700 guineas.

Foals were particularly popular, with almost 100% sold. Fillies averaged £1,296 and colts £965. The Potter family’s grey colt Greenholme Olaf, sired by Greenholme Diego, was the top lot in this section, going for 2,200 guineas.

The pandemic led some pony societies to switch to online-only bidding, which attracted a wider audience.

At the 61st annual Shetland pony sale in Lerwick, Scotland, on 2 October, the number of registered bidders more than doubled this year from 36 to 84.

Auctioneers Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (SLMG) and Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) achieved an average price of 624 guineas, up from 375 guineas last year. All 41 ponies sold, 33 during online bidding. The hammer fell at 3,100 guineas for top lot Bergli Lanca, a six-year-old skewbald miniature mare from Norway.

“The sale was exceptionally good this year,” Sheena Anderson, chairman of the Pony Breeders in Shetland Association, told H&H. “We had fewer lots, in part because we held a select sale last year, but although numbers were down, the quality wasn’t.”

The pandemic forced the cancellation of the New Forest Beaulieu Rd drift sale, which was rescheduled for November before the second lockdown pushed back the date. A sale hosted by Southern Counties Auctioneers was due to take place online from 2 December, dependent on restrictions.

Rendell’s sale of Dartmoor Hill Ponies in Chagford (8 October) also enjoyed success; 100% of stock sold for an average £178 – a marked turnaround from 2013, when only 32% sold, at an average of £18.The top price was £1,491 for a coloured filly from Mr A Steed, who averaged £909 per animal. The drift sale’s success has been attributed in part to an increased appreciation of the ponies’ value and the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives and interests.

“I realised there was a wave of interest before the sale as we had a lot of enquiries, but I was still nervous,” the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association’s Charlotte Faulkner told H&H. “People have begun to realise the ponies are worth their weight in gold, and the buyers were all knowledgable homes.

“When people pay more for a pony, they invest more time in it and treat it with more respect, and a better pony is produced.”

11 new stars preparing for the 2021 show season

Alex Robinson — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 16:24:44 +0000

The coronavirus pandemic might have brought the 2020 show season to a premature end, but showing producers and riders across the country are wasting no time preparing their new show horses for the 2021 season.

Here are 11 fresh faces gearing up to take the show ring by storm next year…

1. Hett Candyman

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Vicki Casey, a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winner last term riding her own Connemara Frederiksminde Volcano, is set to introduce Susan Stowell’s five-year-old newly backed Dales gelding to ridden ranks next year. Vicki aims to start off the in-hand winner in the dressage arena before setting her sights on the show ring.

2. Thornberry Anwen

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Lindsey Hillyard’s lockdown purchase, by Thornberry Lord Admiral out of Thornberry Arbenig, looks a picture as she is prepared for her debut season as a mini mount. Bred by Fiona Leadbitter, Anwen was successfully shown in-hand as a youngster.

3. Lucifer

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Working hunter specialist William Pittendrigh’s striking three-year-old gelding was bought just under six months ago as a prospect worker and middleweight hunter.

4. Laybalands Party Politics

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Cheshire-based horse producer Vicky Smith is tuning up Jill Ollerenshaw’s five-year-old large hack for his first open term under saddle.

5. Willoway Mikado

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Lauren Brill has a selection of novice ponies for 2021, including the three-year-old New Forest gelding. By Willoway Minstrel, Mikado was bought unbroken earlier this year and will be a fresh face in New Forest breed classes.

6. Lostock Up to The Mark

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sue-Helen Shuttleworth is putting in the time with her own three-year-old plaited horse prospect. He is out of successful coloured hack Up To D by Lostock Huntsman and was bought as a foal from breeder Caroline Hamilton.

7. Cuddington Vanity Fair

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The three-year-old mare owned by Laura Jane Jones is produced by the Cuddington Stud and will be aimed at intermediate show hunter classes next season with Laura’s daughter, Freya. Freya’s younger sister, Georgia, will also campaign the exciting 138cm show pony Carrhouse Gypsy Moon who will also hit the novice circuit during 2021.

8. Red River

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Danielle Heath and Mo Haslam’s unshown four-year-old lightweight show cob, of unknown breeding, are preparing from his show ring debut. The upstanding gelding was bought over summer from Val Sheenan.

9. Steppers Relight My Fire

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ashleigh and Lisa O’Rourke’s five-year-old Welsh section D stallion is currently with producer Aimee Devane and her team at Follywood stud. He was purchased lightly backed a few months ago from his breeder Dex Davies and Aimee is aiming for a December debut.

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11. Cobweb

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The four-year-old lightweight cob, owned by Neil Fidders, is based with Simon Reynolds and his team. He originally came from Reid Finlay in Ireland.

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The New Forest pony: the ideal performance native pony

Alex Robinson — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:25:00 +0000

The New Forest pony has an upper height limit of 148cm and there is no lower limit.

New Forest ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, spotted or blue eyed cream. Palomino or very light chestnut and cream ponies with dark eyes are not eligible as licensed stallions.

The society provides a detailed description of the colour requirements:

“Blue eyes are not permitted. White markings other than on the head and lower limbs: loss of, or absence of, pigment in hair or skin that is not known to have been associated solely with skin trauma is not acceptable. So, for the purposes of entry into the approved section of the stud book a pony shall not have any white markings behind the head, above a horizontal line level with the bony protuberance of the accessory carpal bone at the back of the knee in the forelimb, and the point of the hock in the hind limb, unless proven to be due to trauma/injury.”

Other ideal features of the breed include:

Action: This should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.

There have been ponies in the New Forest since the end of the last ice age. The earliest record of horses in the New Forest dates back to 1016 when rights of common pasture were granted to the people living in what was a royal hunting ground.

is a recognised British Isles breed, but, according to the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society, it has an unusual background for a native pony breed.

According to the breed society: “In 1507 mounts from the New Forest were shipped to the French wars. New Forest pony mares were very probably bred to a Spanish Horse standing at the Royal Stud at Lyndhurst rather than the myth of the Spanish Horse swimming ashore from the Armada.”

“During the 19th Century they were regularly raced and with prizes of £5 or £10 when wages were £1.25 or less a good pony who might race in two races in an afternoon was a valuable asset. The colts also had the reputation of being excellent harness ponies, fast trotters, strong, docile and patient. Unfortunately this led to the better colts being gelded and sold. A few gentlemen were concerned at the poor standard of stallions and considered the ponies inbred and new blood was needed. The deputy surveyor as a sop to commoners for his endeavour to make them run on their ponies in the winter, borrowed an Arab stallion from Prince Albert but commoners were not to be taken in so very few mares were covered by him. Towards the end of the century the Verderers hired four stallions; Fitz George, Welsh Star, Katerfelto and Bampton Boy and Queen Victoria lent two Arabs, Abeyan and Yuresson, but commoners wanted stallions that ran out.”

In the show ring, New Forests have seen an increased presence at top level. They have their own final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) which was introduced several years ago to separate them from the Connemaras. In 2014, the roan gelding Marleydenes Shiraz and Alex Hawkins landed the overall ridden Mountain and Moorland Pony of the Year title, becoming the first New Forest to win the accolade. The winner of the 2018 New Forest final was Clare Davies’ Harvey’s Magic Moment and Lauren Brill. Steph Peto also rode her own bay mare Bisterne Diva to win the exceeding 143cm M&M Working Hunter Pony of the Year final.

Shirley Young piloted Farriers Fingerprint to the Olympia native crown back in 2009. (Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS, Trevor Meeks)

The first New Forest to win the coveted Olympia title was Shirley Young on her home bred stallion Farriers Fingerprint. The grey scooped the victory in 2009 and is the only New Forest to win Olympia to date.

As well as having a super jump for the worker ring, they also excel as performance ponies in other disciplines, many being scopey enough for eventing and hunter trials. They are popular choices for pony club and riding club all-rounders as well hunting and dressage ponies. They are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children.

Despite their performance attributes, in 2013, H&H reported that the New Forest pony is on the verge of becoming a rare breed. At present, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust reports that the breed is still considered to be ‘at risk’. Dedicated breeders are working hard to promote the breed and maintain the quality of the youngstock.

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Poachers blamed for death of filly found with gunshot wounds

Caroline Bankes — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:14:08 +0000

Poachers are thought to have caused the death of a pony shot dead in the New Forest last week (12 December).

The four-year-old filly was found at the junction of Tethering Drove and Hale Road at Hale near Fordingbridge in the early hours of the morning.

Hampshire Police said the pony had wounds “likely to have been caused by shotgun pellets.”

A member of the public found the pony and reported it to the agister.

The mare was discovered lying dead in a gorse bush with a number of wounds.

In a statement the National Trust, which owns the land where the mare was found, said: “We are saddened to confirm that, on Wednesday 12 December, a New Forest pony was reported dead by the New Forest verderers. As this is now a police matter we are unable to comment further.”

Councillor Edward Heron, who is the deputy chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority, reportedly said such incidents are “incredibly rare.”

A spokesman for the Verderers described the shooting as a “distressing incident”.

Tony Hockley from the New Forest Commoners also expressed his shock. “Poaching can be a problem in open access areas but this is an unusual incident to happen here,” he said.

Mr Hockley said this was a one off incident and horses and ponies are safe in the New Forest which is why the death is even more shocking.

Several local businesses in the New Forest have pledged to give a reward for information about the shooting.

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A spokesman from Hampshire Police said: “Anyone with information about this incident should call 101 quoting 44180462950.

The New Forest pony was classed as a minority breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 2014 after numbers of breeding females dropped to below 3,000.

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New Forest pony walks into a pub

Sarah Radford — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 14:59:06 +0000

We’ve all heard the joke about a horse walking into a bar — but staff at a New Forest pub couldn’t have been more surprised when it actually happened.

Martin Barrett, landlord of The Oak in Lyndhurst, and barmaid Lizzy Peeling were preparing for the second sitting of Sunday lunch when they had an unexpected visitor recently.

“We’re a very small pub with only 40 covers. We were just turning all the tables round and getting the drinks orders in when someone said ‘there’s a pony in here’,” said Martin.

“I looked over and it was stood at the end of the bar.”

Fortunately Lizzy, who joined the pub a few months ago, had spent her career to date working with horses and knew exactly how to handle the situation.

“She just said ‘it’s alright, I’ll sort it’. She strolled round the bar, spoke to it, put her hand on its nose and guided it out of the door,” said Martin.

“We carried on with service, but then 10 minutes later it came back in again.”

This time the intrepid equine — who is thought to be called Inca — was a bit more reluctant to leave and it took a joint effort to evict him.

“I’m not sure why we didn’t close the door the first time,” said Martin. “This time he’d come right in and when we tried to get him out he got stuck by the door and that woke him up a bit.

“Lizzy managed to manoeuvre him into the right position and I gave him a quick tap and we were able to drive him out of the door.”

But their pony problems didn’t end there, as it wasn’t long before the equine’s mates arrived.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“He was stood in front of the door not letting anyone in and there were a lot of people taking pictures,” Martin explained. “Five minutes later another couple of ponies turned up and they all stood there in front of the door.”

Martin said it was not uncommon to see the New Forest ponies around the pub at this time of year.

“I’ve only been here for a year and I don’t know much about them, but having them about is quite fun,” he added. “They congregate outside sometimes and stand and stare or wander round leaning against people’s cars. Our customers have lunch and shuffle towards their car and the ponies will just stand there.

“Eventually the customers manage to get in the doors, and then they turn engine on and the ponies doesn’t move — eventually they look to us to go out and move the ponies. The kids love it as they like to take photos.”

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When Martin posted pictures of the unusual visitor on Facebook the next day, it quickly caught the attention of newspapers, and also the ponies’ owner — who contacted the pub.

“She said she’d be down to check on them and said she hoped it hadn’t been a problem, but I told her not to worry and to pop in for a bit of lunch!” he said. “It got a lot of interest on social media and we had more than 11,000 people see it in the first 24 hrs.”

Martin joked that Lizzy would now be “running staff tutorials” on what to do if a pony walks into a bar.

“If she wasn’t there I don’t know what I would’ve done. If the pony had gone off into the pub it might have gone a bit mad,” he added.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Heading to HOYS: versatile home-produced New Forest to put on showing shoes for NEC trip

Alex Robinson — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 11:24:04 +0000

One home-produced New Forest pony has added another string to his extensive bow, as he gets ready to take his owner for a spin at the 2018 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Newcopse Tigger, who is owned and competed by Liz Mansbridge, has qualified for the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland ridden New Forest Pony of the Year final, after taking the coveted ticket at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show in July.

As well as his show ring achievements, this Forest-bred gelding has been dubbed by his owner as a ‘true all-rounder’, as he also takes part in racing, British Dressage (BD) and British Eventing competitions.

“He is a one in a million pony,” said Liz, who has an office-based job during the week and fits Tigger’s training and showing around her work. “He was born on the New Forest and spent the first year of his life living out with his dam before starting his education.

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“I intended him to do a bit of everything and he actually competed in the New Forest point-to-point race two years in row, coming second and third, before he started his showing career. He is so versatile. We compete in eventing classes, up to 90cm, do arena eventing, and have been lucky enough to also qualify for the BD Petplan area festival final, the BD native pony dressage champs and the BSPS Heritage Olympia semi-final.

“I first started showing Tigger at local level and he really enjoyed the environment and he came away with a first place with great comments. We both continued to improve and I realised he had the potential to be a great showing pony, as he enjoys being in the ring and has established a lovely ridden show.

“This will be Tigger’s second year at HOYS and we’ve had great fun at the qualifiers, putting in as much training as possible around my busy office job.

“I am so proud of Tigger achieving this much. He is a great representative for the New Forest breed and has a super-chilled, but cheeky character to match.”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Drivers ‘playing Russian roulette’ as five foals killed on the road

Sarah Radford — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 06:09:15 +0000

Campaigners are continuing appeals for drivers in the New Forest to slow down and give ponies and livestock space after five foals have been killed in less than three weeks.

In the most recent incident (15 June), a hit and run driver left a foal alive at the side of the road with a broken back. The filly was found by a passerby and was euthanised by agisters.

The same dam, owned by commoner Luke Blomfield, also had her foal killed by a driver last year.

“We put up a post about it on social media and it’s had almost 500,000 shares, so we hope the message gets through to people,” said commoner Sarah Weston, who has co-founded the New Forest Roads Campaign. “The commoners have taken great steps to produce the best foals they can and in limited numbers, and its awful to see.

“It’s hard to understand the callousness of people playing Russian roulette with the ponies like this.”

Sarah added that the campaign is striving to convey two key messages — to ask drivers to slow down and take care, and not to feed the ponies as this encourages them to approach cars and come closer to the road.

“This year’s foals seem tamer than ever and you sometimes see them lounging about in the road waiting for passing cars,” she cautioned.

More than half of the recent deaths have been hit and run accidents, even though those reporting hitting a pony will not be subject to penalty unless it can be proved that they were driving dangerously.

The New Forest verderers currently offer a £5,000 reward for anyone who identifies a motorist involved in a hit and run.

“People are obliged, by law, to stop at the scene and find out who owns the pony and if they can’t, then they are obliged to report it as soon as is practical or within 24 hrs — which means driving to the nearest place where they have signal and ringing,” Sarah said.

“You can report it the same way as any other accident — call the police on 101 or 999 and they will contact the agisters.”

Statistics where drivers have reported accidents or have been traced show that local motorists are among the least likely to hit livestock.

“I’m keen to dispel the myth that it’s locals,” Sarah added. “One in five drivers is a local, two in five are commuters from the outskirts of the forest and two in five are from further afield — although tourists tend to drive more slowly.

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Will you slow down now? Poignant picture hoped to make drivers take note

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Statistics from the verderers’ office reveal that there have been 51 livestock accidents documented in the first six months of this year, with 17 ponies killed so far — compared to 18 during this period in 2017.

“There have been a few hit and runs involving foals in recent weeks — sadly there are always a few — and there isn’t always an obvious reason why we see a spike in accidents,” said clerk to the Verderers Sue Westwood. “It’s the time of year when the foals are getting bolder and braver and stray a bit further from their mothers and it’s always risky for them.”

Sue believes that drivers not giving livestock enough space contributes to accidents even more than speed.

“It’s all about being considerate really,” she added. “You ask people if they’d drive that closely past a toddler they saw standing alone and they say ‘no’. So why would you do it to a foal?”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

12 New Forest pony facts every native fan needs to know…

Liz Falkingham — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 12:05:51 +0000

New Forest ponies are a linchpin of our native breeds — the ultimate all-rounder. They have an ideal temperament, are easy to train and are able to carry both children and adults. But now that they can be found on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s “at risk” watchlist, it’s time we sat up and took note: this handsome breed can’t be taken for granted.

Here’s all you need to know about New Forest ponies — and don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (18 January 2018) to find out what is being done to safeguard the breed.

1. There have been New Forest ponies in the New Forest, Hampshire, since the end of the last ice age.

2. Early records include the bones of a 13hh pony at the Rockbourne Roman Villa and the profits of the Royal Stud at Lyndhurst going to the building of Beaulieu Abbey.

3. In 1507, ponies from the New Forest were shipped to the French wars.

4. During the 19th century, colts were often raced and, with prizes of £5 to £10 on offer, became valuable assets.

5. New Forest ponies served in South Africa with the Forest Scouts in the Boer War, regularly carrying 13st all day and under extreme conditions.

6. There are registered New Forests competing at high levels in affiliated dressage, eventing and showjumping. Laura Avery’s 14hh New Forest stallion Willoway Free Spirit won last year’s BE90 Mitsubishi Motors Cup, despite it being only his 10th British Eventing competition.

7. Their temperaments are highly coveted. “For me, their appeal comes from their versatility and temperament; they’re generous, forgiving ponies with a bold, ‘can-do’ approach,” says Laura.

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Will you slow down now? Poignant picture hoped to make drivers take note

A photograph of ponies looking at their dead companion has been shared in a bid to urge motorists to slow

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8. With thousands of ponies roaming the New Forest, which is criss-crossed with roads, accidents are a sad fact of life. However, the number of ponies killed in the New Forest has declined slightly in recent years to around 40 annually, according to Dr Jo Ivey, Shared Forest project coordinator at the New Forest Commoners Defence Association.

Don’t miss the full article in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (18 January 2018) about what is being done to safeguard the future of New Forest ponies

Will you slow down now? Poignant picture hoped to make drivers take note

Rachael Turner — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:37:18 +0000

A picture of ponies looking at their dead companion has been shared on social media in a bid to urge motorists to slow down.

The New Forest pony was killed by a car on 8 January.

Sarah Simmons took the photo as she passed the scene of the accident the following morning.

She posted it on Facebook, urging drivers to take more care on the roads, where the ponies roam freely.

“[It] broke my heart seeing another pony killed,” she said. “Even more that her friends were looking on.

“I hope by posting this it may make people realise that it’s not just the owner who it upsets but their herd members too.

“Slow down day and night on the forest roads. These poines have more rights to these roads than you do.”

Sarah added that drivers continued to speed past “even with this poor horse on the side of the road and the others looking on”.

The owner of the mare, Cathy Stride, told H&H she was a nine-year-old called Hazel Hill Scrap.

This was her third pony to be fatally injured on that stretch of road.

“They hit them like skittles,” she said.

“I welcome any publicity that helps drivers become aware; if they would just slow down it would help.

“They go too fast and don’t give the ponies enough room. We’ve even had people driving over foals’ feet as they lie beside the road.

“It’s also really important that people don’t feed the ponies, or they will congregate by the road waiting for the next handout.

“The photo was taken the morning after the accident and the herd had been waiting there all night.”

Cathy said Scrap’s mother (the grey) and half-sister were in the group.

“Her mother spent a day and a half looking over her,” she said.

“Sarah’s picture shows the animals do have feelings — that was something that came across to me very much.”

Cathy believes the number of accidents is affecting numbers of the breed, which is on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s “at risk” watch list.

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“They are all closely related,” she said. “Scrap was a breedable age; she would have taken over from her mother in looking after her half-sister and bring in the next generation of the herd.”

Cathy urged that anyone who hits a pony, or sees one being injured, should contact the Forestry Commission or New Forest agister.

Don’t miss this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out Thursday (18 January), for in in-depth look at why New Forest pony numbers are dwindling and what is being done to protect this native breed

‘My pony of a lifetime’: prolific winning New Forest pony dies

Caroline Bankes — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 06:55:23 +0000

One of the country’s most prolific winning New Forest ponies died last Thursday (30 November) aged 27.

Ashfield Black Jack, known at home simply as Jack, was bought as a four-year-old by Ann Wilson for her daughter Laura to compete.

The pony was bought from Barbara Stiles, who had bought Jack from the breeder Mr R.G Ralphs.

Jack was by Willoway Piper out of Ashfield Bunty.

In 1996 he started his first full season in the show ring coming fifth and top New Forest at Wembley.

During his career Jack qualified for HOYS seven times winning the M&M working hunter pony championship in 1997, the first time a New Forest has taken the title.

That same year he had another impressive performance at the New Forest County show winning both the M&M ridden and working hunter pony championship.

“He was my pony of a lifetime,” said Laura Avery, now 37 years old.

The 14hh black pony had never been ill, but did suffer from Cushings in his twenties.

Throughout his career he was kept at Laura’s mother’s yard in Cambridge where he is much missed.

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“Jack was the most forgiving, genuine pony. We learnt so much together,” said Laura fondly.

Mrs Harvey still competes New Forest ponies winning the 90cm class at this year’s Mitsubish Motors Cup grassroots championship with her stallion Willoway Free Spirit.

A firm believer in the versatility of the New Forest breed, she hunts, team chases, shows, events, Pony Club and does polo with her five ponies.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Self-driving cars could be key to preventing New Forest pony deaths

Rachael Turner — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 05:37:59 +0000

Campaigners determined to reduce the number of New Forest ponies being killed on the road have suggested using in-car technology to improve their safety.

Despite a drop in the numbers of ponies killed on the roads in the New Forest in recent years, work continues to protect the native animals.

Last year, 63 ponies died as a result of vehicle collisions in the area, compared to 87 in 2006 and 114 in 1996.

However, local campaigners are unrelenting in their battle to further reduce the numbers of equines being hurt and have suggested harnessing modern technology to improve safety.

Nigel Matthews, head of recreation management and learning at the New Forest National Park Authority, said he would like to see in-car technology trialled in the area, such as self-driving cars that would register the ponies’ presence and brake, or vehicles with the ability to notify the driver of oncoming hazards.

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Mr Matthews invited car manufacturers to use the forest to develop their software in a recent interview on BBC Radio Solent.

“Let’s have a test on a New Forest road — what would it do when it sees a pony standing beside the road?” he said. “Can it work out if that pony is going to step out into the road, which humans find pretty much impossible?

“That technology could work in the dark and we know a lot of accidents in the forest happen at night.”

The authority is also continuing to promote further awareness among drivers of how to avoid accidents around the ponies.

“It’s all about driver behaviour,” Matt Stroud, communications officer for the New Forest National Park Authority, told H&H. “Just as when passing riders on horseback, cars should slow right down and pass all animals wide and slow.

“A lot of drivers think that as long as they don’t drive faster than 40mph, the speed limit, they will be fine and it doesn’t matter where you are.

“We often say that the ponies have the road sense of a two-year-old — they will step out into the road even if they have seen you.”

Snacking on the job: ponies (and tweeting sheep) help restore ancient grasslands

Lucy Elder — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 10:54:06 +0000

New Forest ponies have been relocated to Sussex to work for the council, thanks to their munching skills.

A small herd of seven ponies has been drafted in to join sheep in helping to preserve the grasslands around Brighton and Hove.

This is the first time the council has used equine help to manage its green spaces.

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The ponies arrived on 6 February and have wintered “very well”, according to Sam Baldock who is in charge of the scheme.

“So far I am really impressed with what they have done — I think the ponies and the sheep are a great combination,” Mr Baldock told H&H.

They are currently grazing 19 Acres — a stretch of chalk downland that runs along the west of Devil’s Dyke road, close to the A27 Brighton bypass.

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Mr Baldock explained he hopes the ponies will push through some of the gorse areas, which the sheep will not.

The council has been using targeted sheep grazing to help restore the ancient grasslands in the area in recent years.

Over the last century 97% of the flower-rich grasslands in the area have been lost and the remaining 3% is under threat from spreading scrub, such as nettles.

Mr Baldock added the ponies are “very popular” and hopes to expand the scheme, provided the council is happy.

Brighton’s sheep, also known as the “mad munchers”, have their own official Twitter account where social media users can keep up with their chomping progress across Brighton and Hove.

Our conservation project has branched out to use ponies as well as sheep with the first one having just arrived at 19 acres (off Dyke Road) pic.twitter.com/FVAlSIPDFrOur conservation project has branched out to use ponies as well as sheep with the first one having just arrived at 19 acres (off Dyke Road) pic.twitter.com/FVAlSIPDFr— BH Sheep (@BHSheep) February 7, 2017— BH Sheep (@BHSheep) February 7, 2017

All the animals are checked daily by trained volunteers and the council has asked the public not to feed or pet them.

“I am sure the ponies will be a welcome sight on the downs and will play a useful role in helping conserve our natural heritage,” said Gill Mitchell, the council’s chair of the environment, transport and sustainability committee.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

‘To drive off and leave her in agony is unforgivable’: pony suffers broken legs in hit-and-run

Lucy Elder — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 16:48:20 +0000

A reward of up to £1,000 is being offered to help track down a hit-and-run driver who left a pony with two broken legs.

Brock Brocade, a 21-year-old New Forest pony, was hit by a vehicle overnight on 27-28 October.

The driver did not report the accident and the mare, who broke both her back legs, was found in the morning on Burley Road in Brockenhurst by a passing commoner.

She immediately contacted the relevant agister, who monitors livestock in the forest, and the pony was put down.

Born and bred on the common, “Mary” was owned by James Young and his wife Trudy Nineham.

She lived at their yard in Brockenhurst for most of her life, enjoying a successful career in the show ring and as a broodmare.

She won New Forest championship titles at the New Forest & Hampshire County show, the New Forest breed show and New Forest enthusiasts’ elite show.

Last summer the pair decided that as Mary was a good doer and they were no longer breeding from her, they would see if she would take to living back on the common. She had stayed happily with her herd ever since.

“We are long-standing commoners and the worst thing about the common is you have to accept that road accidents happen, but to drive off and leave the animal in agony is unforgivable,” Mr Young told H&H.

“One doesn’t want to lose any pony, but she was particularly special.

“She was a great character — she never really escaped from her feral roots!

“Until her last day, I think she had a better quality of life out there than she would have done in [a starvation paddock].”

The lack of vehicle debris at the scene has led the verderers to believe it was likely she was hit by a large vehicle, such as a lorry.

Mr Young added that although trying to find the driver will not help Mary, he hopes it will raise awareness and encourage people to be more careful when driving through the New Forest.

A statement on the New Forest Verderers website said its hit and run reward scheme will pay up to £1,000 for information leading to the successful conviction of the driver.

“We would very much like to trace the driver responsible for this callous act,” added the statement. “There is no excuse for leaving an animal to suffer in the way this pony did.”

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A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary told H&H police were called at 7.40am on 28 October.

“We are investigating,” he added.

Call the verderers’ office on 023 8028 2052 or police on 101, quoting incident reference 44160408244, with information.

Teenager in life-threatening condition after crash with New Forest pony

Lucy Elder — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:35:40 +0000

A teenager has suffered life-threatening injuries and a New Forest pony has died after they were involved in a crash last night (6 July).

The 18-year-old woman, from Brokenhurst, was a passenger in a silver Volkswagen Polo that collided with the loose pony on the A35 in Hampshire.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance. Her next of kin have been informed.

The accident happened at around 11.15pm between Hinton and Holmsley and the pony died at the scene.

While animals in the New Forest are able to roam freely, major roads — including the A31, A35 and A337 — are fenced off to help avoid accidents.

“It is believed the pony had escaped onto the road through an insecure gate that may have been left open by a member of the public,” said a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary.

Road closures that were put in place have now been lifted.

New Forest risks

Accidents involving animals on minor roads in the area are frequent as there are no barriers preventing ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep from straying onto highways.

In 2015, the number of animals killed or injured on New Forest roads was 76 — the lowest number recorded in the past 25 years.

This was the lowest ratio the roaming stock killed on the roads (0.51%) since records began in 1956.

A total of 38 ponies died in accidents last year — 30 of which were not wearing reflective collars — down from 43 in 2014.

The Animal Accident Reduction Group — made up of representatives from police, councils and various other organisations — was formed in 2007 to improve analysis of accident statistics and help coordinate action.

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There are a number of campaigns and initiatives to try and reduce the number of accidents.

These include road signs, enforcing speed limits and increasing visibility of animals through verge cutting and reflective collars.

Native ponies: what were they bred for?

Aimi Clark — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 08:25:41 +0000

Knowing what your native pony was bred for will enable you to show them off correctly in the show ring. From a fast but smooth walk perfect for ploughing fields or carrying large loads over great distances, to ground-covering trots ideal for shepherding sheep and hunting wolves, this is what native breeds were used for in bygone years:

Shetlands

Small but hardy, Shetland ponies were commonly used to transport peat from the bogs and seaweed to fertilise fields. Some also became pit ponies, or were used as pack animals.

Highlands

Highlands were bred to work on farms in their native Scotland. From carrying deer and game off the hills, to transporting timber and ploughing fields — these sturdy ponies are capable of hard, heavy work.

Fell

Native to the North of England, Fell ponies were used by the Vikings to plough and pull sledges, as well as for riding and pack work. Their fast but comfortable walk made them ideal for carrying anything from material and food to local metal ores. Fells were also used for shepherding and hunting wolves to protect the flock.

Modern Fell ponies are renowned for their ground-covering trot, and have been used for trotting races in the past.

Dartmoor

Native to Devon and recorded as living on Dartmoor since the Middle Ages, this breed’s metabolism enables them to survive in tough conditions, ideal for working in the mines, carrying large loads as a pack animal and shepherding sheep. Their temperament made the ponies a popular ride, as they are today.

Exmoor

This breed dates back to when the Celts settled in Britain. The ponies were tamed and broken to pull chariots, as well as being ridden, used as pack animals and ploughing the land.

Welsh ponies

Section A: The smallest of the Welsh mountain ponies were useful for shepherding sheep, mining and riding, as well as being pack animals.

Section B: These ponies were also intended for pulling carts and carriages.

Sections C and D: All of the above, plus useful for farm work. Welsh mountain ponies could also be seen driving cattle.

Dales

Known for strength, hardiness, courage and stamina, the Dales pony has strong mining links. Evolved from the Scotch Galloway pack animal, the breed was used to transport lead, coal and ore from the mines of North Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyneside to the ports on the coast.

Dales ponies are capable of carrying heavy loads over long distances, and were also driven, ridden and used for farm work.

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Connemara

This compact, surefooted and intelligent breed stands on short legs but covers a lot of ground. Still popular for riding with adults and children alike, the attributes of a Connemara has made them ideal for farm work and driving for years.

New Forest

Having roamed the New Forest, Hampshire, since the end of the last Ice Age, these fast and sure-footed ponies have been a popular riding choice for centuries. History shows them being used to carry large weights over long distances, plus hunting and farm work.

Increasing number of New Forest ponies hit by cars

Caroline Bankes — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:55:47 +0000

Warnings are being put out to drivers in the New Forest as ponies are being hit on the roads, according to latest figures.

In the first two weeks of January eight ponies were hit by cars, double the number for the same period last year, according to the Verderers, who look after the New Forest.

On 4 January a liver chestnut mare wearing a protective collar was killed on the C10 road at Vereley Hill at 8am.

A chestnut gelding was also put down on 6 January after being hit by a motorist on the Linwood Road in Appleslade.

Another pony was reported as being hit by a car on the Tuesday 5 January at 6.55am and two on the Friday 8 at 8.30am and 8.45am.

The chestnut mare hit at 8.45am was injured despite wearing a reflective collar, but the others were unharmed.

A brown yearling filly was put down after being injured at Ipers Bridge on Beaulieu Hilltop Heath on the 13 January at 7am.

There were two other ponies reported as being hit on Monday 11 at 6.25pm and Friday 15 at 7.40pm but they were not found.

“Winter in the dark is always a bad time for animal accidents when motorists are driving to and fro from work,” said Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers.

Last year was a record low for accidents in the New Forest with 0.51% of the stock turned out killed on the roads.

This was the lowest ratio since records began in 1956.

The figures for 2015 from the Verderers show there were 127 accidents attended last year, compared to 140 in 2014.

Of these 79 occurred in darkness, 31 in daylight and 17 in twilight

There were 38 ponies killed in 2015, down from 43 in 2014. Thirty of the fatalities were not wearing collars.

The total number of animals killed and injured on the roads for the year from 1 January to 31 December 2015 was 76, compared to 91 the previous year. In addition to ponies, pigs, cattle, donkeys and sheep were involved in accidents.

12 best of breeds crowned at Olympia PICTURES

Aimi Clark — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:05:21 +0000

Townend Schubert stood Blue Chip Native BSPS Heritage Supreme champion at Olympia yesterday (21 December), but many more were left celebrating when 12 breed winners were crowned. Scroll down to see pictures of each one in action

Fell

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The overall winner was also the best Fell. “I spotted Townend Schubert on the Fells as a foal and instantly took to him, so I jumped at the chance to buy him as an unbroken three-year-old,” said owner/rider Rebecca Penny of the six-year-old stallion, who is produced by Aimee Devane. “Schubert came out this year with the intention of just testing him in a few open classes — little did I expect him to qualify for Olympia by standing champion at Suffolk county.”

Welsh section D

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Katie Williams’ Ringside Game Over finished second overall and was crowned best Welsh section D. Ridden by Alex Williams, the seven-year-old stallion is by Llanarth Old Fashion out of Sydenham Gooseberry.

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Highland

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The winning Highland was Mrs M Stanford’s Benbreac Of Croila, who was partnered by Matthew Cooper to overall third place. It caps a stellar year for the seven-year-old stallion, by Ulleam Of Croila, who won the Torne Valley £1,000 final at North Of England and stood Heritage supreme at the BSPS summer championships.

Welsh section C

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Menai Celtic Hero, owned by Irene Gawith and ridden by Fiona Cork, was the best Welsh section C. Irene bought the seven-year-old gelding by Menai Caderivid as a foal and Fiona gained the ride in February this year.

Dales

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Sarah Field’s Carrock Billy Boy-sired Tarbarl Matthew was crowned the best Dales. The eight-year-old stallion joined Sarah’s yard in 2013. “This year he has exceeded all expectations — qualifying for Horse of the Year Show first time out and then qualifying for Olympia,” said Sarah.

Connemara

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The winning Connemara was Sandra Burton’s Banks Timber. The seven-year-old stallion, by Teglstrup Duke, only started his ridden career in March after being successful in-hand.

Welsh section A

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Powys Sprite finished best of the Welsh section As for the second year running, ridden by India Latter. “Sprite is a real family favourite and cheeky — he likes to blow raspberries at people at home if they’re on the yard and not giving him any attention,” said Debbie.

Welsh section B

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This was the fifth consecutive year that Kathleen Scott’s Cadlanvalley Sandpiper, ridden by Collette Green, competed at Olympia and the nine-year-old by Eyarth Troy walked away with the Welsh section B prize.

Dartmoor

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Eleven-year-old Okeleat Navigator, owned by Debbie Barr and ridden by Alice Barr, was crowned best Dartmoor. This is the stallion’s third year under saddle and the third time he has qualified for Olympia.

Exmoor

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The Exmoor title went to the sole representative Moonpenny Aquarius, owned by Mrs M Bryant and ridden by Elizabeth Etchells. The eight-year-old by Frithesden Phoenix has only been in the show ring a handful of times this term due to juggling dressage, showjumping, eventing and working hunter classes. “To win the breed Olympia qualifier for the second year running is the icing on the cake. He proves the versatility of an Exmoor,” said Elizabeth.

Shetland

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The winning Shetland, Mrs A Stevens’ Brinleyview Camanchee ridden by Gemma Pallett, has barely been out of the prizes this season. The 12-year-old son of Womble Of Crafton’s tally includes standing supreme at the Shetland breed show and winning the Blue Riband small breeds title at the Heritage championships.

New Forest

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Only one New Forest pony contested the championship — Mr G Jeffries’ Applewitch Magister, ridden by Charlotte Jenkins. It was an emotional moment for the 13-year-old stallion’s connections, as the pony’s owner Trudy Jeffries died earlier this year.

“We have been determined to have a season Trudy would be proud of,” said Charlotte.

Don’t miss the full Olympia report, including a column by conformation judge Henrietta Knight, in the 24 December issue of Horse & Hound magazine

14.2hh New Forest pony makes light work of two-star track

Rachael Turner — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 19:00:54 +0000

A 14.2hh New Forest pony made light of a two-star track at Fair Hill International horse trials last month (15-18 October).

American eventer Sinead Halpin rode Forrest Nymph (“Farrah”) in the CCI2* and flew round the challenging cross-country course.

The pair finished 16th — their highest placing to date in a two-star, having completed five events at this level.

The 11-year-old chestnut pony went clear across country with no time penalties. She added just four faults to her dressage score of 53.10 in the showjumping.

Farrah, who is owned by the Forrest Nymph Syndicate, was also awarded the best conditioned and the small and mighty award at the Maryland event.

“Best cross-country yet!” said Sinead at the time. “I would like to say it’s fun out there, but honestly we are both just working hard to get it done.”

Sinead proved her worth on the world stage in 2011 when she was placed third in her first four-star at the Kentucky Horse Trials riding Manoir de Carneville. The following year she was placed second at Burghley Horse Trials with the same horse.

Other mini marvels

Little Tiger stood just 14.3hh and gained a huge following eventing at four-star level with Phoebe Buckley.

Frosty, as she was known at home, was put down in 2013 (29 May) due to joint issues in her off-fore.

Theodore O’Connor (“Teddy”) was another incredibly talented event pony.

The 14.1hh gelding competed up to four-star level with American event rider Karen O’Connor and won himself a huge fan club on both sides of the Atlantic.

He finished third at Rolex Kentucky in 2007 and sixth the following year. He also won team and individual gold medals at the Pan American games in 2008 and was on the short-list for the American team at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.

Teddy was put down in 2008 aged 13 following an accident at home.

Forrest Nymph’s career highlights

16th Fair Hill International CCI2*, October 2015
Completed the Plantation Field CIC2*, September 2015
Completed the Richland Park CIC2*, August 2015
Completed the Fair Hill International CCI2*, October 2014
Completed the Plantation Field CIC2*, September 2014
5th Seneca Valley intermediate, September 2014
10th Virginia intermediate, May 2014
7th MCTA Summer Horse Trials intermediate, May 2014

Family celebrates HOYS win and new arrival

Lucy Elder — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:55:09 +0000

A double celebration was held by a horsey family last week.

Showing owner Clare Davies saw her pony win at his first visit to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and also welcomed a new family member.

Harvey’s Magic Moment, owned by Clare, took the M&M ridden New Forest pony of the year title at HOYS on 7 October.

The following morning, her daughter Melissa Thorley gave birth to a boy at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Clare told H&H that the week had been “awesome”.

“I was a bit lost for words,” she said. “It has not really sunk in yet.”

Clare has had the 11-year-old pony, by Oke Dene Red Alert, since he was three.

He was ridden by Clare and Melissa until March, when he went on loan to his current rider Abigail Staff.

“Melissa was going to come and watch him [at HOYS], but her waters broke on Tuesday evening (6 October),” said Clare.

As Birmingham’s NEC is less than an hour from her house, Clare went to watch Harvey win his class.

Then at 8.42am on 8 October, she became a grandmother for the first time to Henry Robert Adams, who weighed in at 6lb 10oz.

Clare said that Melissa and Henry are both doing well.

Harvey and Abigail have had a successful first season together.

The pair qualified for HOYS at the Royal Norfolk Show (2 July) and also won another HOYS qualifier at Stoneleigh Horse Show (15 August).

They have also picked up placings at the Three Counties Show, Lincoln County Show and the British Show Pony Society Summer Championships.

The combination now plan to compete at some Olympia qualifiers.

“Harvey is quite a character, but lovely to have around,” said Clare. “You can do anything with him.”

She added that producing Harvey is a “team effort” with the help of Abigail’s parents.

Spate of fatal crashes leads to new campaign

Amy Mathieson — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 08:55:12 +0000

Following the deaths of several donkeys — including a six-month-old foal — on New Forest roads this winter, a new campaign to urge motorists to slow down has been launched.

Owners Rob and Genette Byford have produced reflective stickers for New Forest donkeys in a bid to save them from road accidents, after one of their donkeys was killed in November.

Jo-Jo, a six-month-old foal, was killed in Brockenhurst on 26 November. She was one of 16 donkeys owned by the couple.

A second of the couple’s donkeys was then hit on 7 December.

Now Genette is trialling reflective stickers attached to her animals to try to make them more visible. Special glue is used to attach the stickers to the hair but more research is needed to find a reflective material that will remain in place for longer.

“I’ve had a number of donkeys and ponies run over and it is heart-breaking every time, she said.

“People just don’t think about the animals being there. We do have reflective collars on most of our animals but I don’t put them on the babies because when they grow the collars get too tight.”

On 3 November three donkeys were killed in one crash at around 5.30am. One animal was killed on impact, the other two were put down after sustaining serious injuries (news, 27 November). A spokesman for the New Forest verderers told H&H it was the worst accident she’d seen in 20 years of working in the forest.

Nigel Matthews, of the New Forest National Park Authority added: “The majority of accidents involve local people, many of whom become complacent as they go about their daily business. We are again appealing to drivers to be more careful. We should all drive knowing that there might be an animal on the road.”

Prolonged strangles outbreak in the New Forest

Amy Mathieson — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 08:55:33 +0000

An outbreak of strangles in the New Forest is lasting longer than expected — and has led to the cancellation of 11 out of 34 drifts, to round up ponies.

A total of six ponies have died from the disease as a result of this outbreak — but riders are being urged not to panic.

Concerned riders contacted H&H in the autumn. They told H&H that although strangles — which is a highly contagious respiratory infection — is common in the forest, this is one of the worst outbreaks they’ve seen (news, 18 September).

At the time only one pony had died.

Sue Westwood, of the Verderers of the New Forest, who manage the forest, agreed that it was “an usual” outbreak.

“It has been going on for longer than normal. Instead of the whole herd getting it, it seems to be jumping from one area to the next,” she told H&H.

She confirmed the cancellation of the drifts, adding: “This now means we’ll have to go back out later than we would like to round up any mares and foals.”

Cases started appearing in the Lyndhurst area several months ago, but have now spread to central areas.

But the Verderers said there was no need to panic.

In September head Agister Jonathan Gerrelli told H&H that “in 99% of cases they are getting over it quickly.”

Ms Westwood added that the situation now “seems to be improving” and that the Beaulieu Road Sale in November is still due to go ahead, after the previous ones were cancelled.

“There will be more stringent checks though,” she said.

Riders are warned “to use common sense” and not to let their horses eat or drink or come into contact with ponies when out on the forest.

Signs of strangles include raised temperature, nasal discharge and a cough.

Three donkeys killed in road accident

Horse & Hound — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:09:52 +0000

Three donkeys have been killed in what is thought to be the worst road traffic accident involving animals in the New Forest for 20 years.

The crash happened between 5.00-5.30am on Monday 3 November at Roger Penny Way in Brook.

One animal was killed on impact, the other two were put down after sustaining serious injuries. One had broken a hind leg, the other had a fractured shoulder.

The donkeys were all owned by the same person.

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, the organisation that regulates the rights of the Forest, told H&H: “This is the first time I have ever heard of three animals, especially as big as these were, being killed in one accident — and I have been in this job for more than 20 years.”

One of the drivers involved reported the incident to the New Forest Agister Andrew Napitine.

“I think they were hit about 5.30ish and I was there just before 6am,” he said.

“Unfortunately animals are often hit by drivers in the Forest, but it’s unusual for three to be in an accident all at once. I think people need to be a bit more aware that they will congregate on the edge of the road.

“Although the limit is 40 miles an hour and they may be sticking to it, they expect the animals to move and they don’t. I just don’t think there is the same awareness of how animals behave around vehicles as there used to be.”

Hampshire police are trying to trace another driver thought to have been involved in the accident. Officers said the person who reported the collision indicated a white van with its offside headlight askew was in the area at the time. The van was heading towards Fordingbridge.

The Verderers are also offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the successful conviction of any hit-and-run drivers involved in animal accidents such as this.

Anyone with information should call PC Gary Kimble at Hythe police station on 101.

More New Forest news

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Horse killed in New Forest crash

A rider is lucky to escape with her life after being hit by a truck in the New Forest

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Major strangles outbreak in New Forest

Native ponies carrying the potentially life-threatening infection are causing concern amongst local riders

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The New Forest pony becomes a rare breed

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has moved the New Forest to category 5, officially making it a rare breed

Major strangles outbreak in New Forest

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:55:55 +0000

An outbreak of strangles in native ponies in the New Forest is causing concern for riders in the area.

Riders have told H&H that although strangles — which is a highly contagious respiratory infection — is common in the forest, this is one of the worst outbreaks they’ve seen.

Cases started appearing in the Lyndhurst area several months ago, but they have now spread through to central areas.

But the Verderers, who manage the forest, are calling for riders not to panic.

“It’s taking its normal form, with ponies showing nasal discharge,” said head Agister Jonathan Gerrelli.

“It’s been rumbling on for a while now and is mainly affecting the younger ponies. On our vet’s advice we are just letting it take its course, as it would be more stressful for the semi-feral ponies to round them up and bring them in for treatment. In 99% of cases they are getting over it quickly.”

He added that so far only one pony has been put down as a result of the infection.

Several drifts, where ponies are rounded up, have been cancelled, as well as the Beaulieu Road Sale (18 September), to prevent the spread.

“It’s just not sensible to gather them together,” added Mr Gerrelli. “Even if they look OK they might be incubating strangles.”

Jane Murray from the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society told H&H that several classes at the society’s breed show — including those for forest run stallions and youngstock of the forest — were cancelled as well.

“We didn’t want to risk it if some of them were coming in off the forest,” she added. “It’s an unusual outbreak; I’ve never seen one like it.”

Several concerned readers have contacted H&H. Strangles is spread through shared water and grazing as well as direct and indirect contact.

“It’s definitely a worry,” said one reader. “Not much is seeming to be done. It’s been going on since about March and it’s awful to see.”

Another added; “We also want to urge tourists to wash their hands if they touch the ponies, to stop the spread.”

But Mr Gerrelli said it’s just about “common sense”.

“If you’re riding on the forest don’t let your horse drink, graze or ride among the ponies,” he said.

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 18 September 2014

New Forest ponies save local council money

Caroline Bankes — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:55:28 +0000

New Forest ponies are helping a local council save money and improve the habitat of a clifftop common.

Six ponies loaned by local commoners are grazing on New Milton Town Council’s 42-acre Barton Common near Barton-on-Sea.

At nearby Ballard Water Meadow ten Dexter cattle borrowed from a local farmer have also been introduced.

The grazing project, run in conjunction with Natural England and the New Forest Land Advice Service, is part of the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme.

The ponies and cattle will graze the sites for three months until November, then go back to their owners for the winter, returning to continue the project in the spring.

Town clerk Graham Flexman said the project will save the council around £3,000 a year and increase biodiversity.

Previously machinery was bought in to cut the grass on the two sites for hay but it had become unviable.

“We weren’t in the business of making hay and the hay had too much weed in it to sell,” said Mr Flexman.

The sites are expected to have a more diverse habitat with greater variety of dragonflies, hoverflies and wetland and heathland plants as a result of the new grazing regime.

Support needed for fire service animal rescue units

Caroline Bankes — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:00:31 +0000

After a dramatic rescue of her horse from a bog, Diana Reynolds-Hale is calling for horse owners to support the vital work of the fire service’s large animal rescue units.

They are facing the prospect of funding cuts.

The 12-year-old gelding was rescued from a bog in the New Forest on 11 June after straying from a bridle path.

Diana paid tribute to the “fantastic” work Jim Green and his crew at the specialist animal rescue unit based at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. She is “appalled” they are facing funding cuts.

The animal rescue unit was set up 10 years ago. Last year the unit received 300 calls, 80 involving large animals.

The horse freed from the New Forest bog was one of 4 horses rescued that week.

All British fire and rescue services are facing the same threat.

“There are significant cuts being made over the next 3 to 4 years,” Mr Green told H&H. “Animal rescue is one of the areas being scrutinised. We will have to be more efficient as we won’t have the resources we’ve had.”

In 2012, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association was set up to help fire services.

“We need to keep our profile up and urge people to support the work of the animal rescue services in times of financial trouble,” added Mr Green.

For more information visit: www.bartacic.org

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“I do not tend to have ponies vetted, but I would always feel more confident selling a pony that has been vetted and would recommend a two-stage vet assessment at the least if you are less experienced,” Vee says.

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‘He was like a war horse’: stallion suspended on tree for days makes miraculous recovery

Suzanne said she can only imagine that Major was trying to mount a mare who had gone under the branch.

“A couple of commoning friends had been called; they took a chainsaw to cut the tree and got him off,” Suzanne said. “Initially he managed to trot away, which is amazing; we think he had been there for three days.”

“He presented at our clinic having been cut out of a tree branch where he had been caught up for at least two or three days. Being a stoical New Forest pony, he perhaps didn’t appear to be as sick as he was.”

Vet Karolina Kalka took bloods and realised Major was suffering from severe dehydration. But also, having been effectively hung from the branch for a significant period of time, he had serious pressure wounds in his abdominal area.

The vets realised the benign-looking wounds were deeper and more serious than they appeared; the skin was dead and dying, which carried the risk of life-threatening septicaemia.

Major was put on IV fluids, antibiotics and pain relief and started to recover but the dead skin started to slough off, so when he was discharged four days later, it was with an “armful of medication and wound dressings”, to be cared for at home with frequent visits from the vets.

“A couple of my friends work in the NHS with pressure wounds and they were very interested,” Suzanne said. “They said it’s so typical, that the wound looks like nothing but as the tissue dies, the whole area just drops away; you could have put your hand into it like a glove.

“It was horrible but he was incredibly good to treat; he never once needed sedation or put his ears back or lifted a leg when I was cleaning it.”

Suzanne said that other than the antibiotics and pain relief early on, Major had very little medical treatment; the healing was supported by frequent cleaning, vet visits and application of manuka honey and aloe vera.

‘I’ve got no qualms about putting him back out; he so enjoys it and he’s a perfect gentleman. He just loves it out there, and what could be better for them?”

A spokesman for Seadown added: “As Major was otherwise a fit and healthy pony, the regeneration of his skin tissue has been remarkably quick and once completely healed, we think he will be left with a small scar near his sheath which should barely be visible.

“This case has been a testament firstly to Major and his fabulous temperament, his dedicated owner Suzanne and the team effort from the vets and nurses at Seadown Equine who have painstakingly managed Major’s wounds and helped achieve such a successful outcome.”

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Police hunt driver who left injured foal to die in the road

“This occurred in Brook, on the B3078 Roger Penny Way near the junction with Longcross Plain Road at around 5pm on Sunday, 3 December in dark and wet conditions,” a police spokesman said.

“The offending vehicle left the scene in the direction of Fordingbridge and Downton, leaving a broken mirror and headlight glass on the carriageway. The foal was later put down by agisters due to injuries received.”

“We would like to thank the members of the public who stopped, called police and then remained to look after the foal,” the spokesman said.

“If you witnessed the incident or have seen a vehicle with recent damage similar to this, please call 101 quoting reference 44230494153.”

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Home-bred New Forest stallion is overall M&M champion at HOYS on his first visit

This victory marked both his breeders and his rider, Pip Smith’s first HOYS championship victory.

They qualified for the final on their first outing of the year, at Royal Three Counties back in June.

The Forest-bred stallion, who is by Applewitch Pure Magic out of Brookshill Blackberry, came over from the Isle of Wight to compete at HOYS.

“We knew he was a nice pony, but this was so unexpected as he’s a bit of a joker and he can test me,” said Pip, who is based on the Isle of Wight.

The last time a New Forest won the HOYS M&M supreme title was back in 2014, when the roan gelding Marleydenes Shiraz and Alex Hawkins took the crown.

Reserve was Sarah Parker riding Sarah Weston’s home-bred Dartmoor Westown Wild Fire, who had won the Dartmoor pony of the year final for the second time in his career.

Sarah [Parker] was the rider to beat across the native classes, winning three finals and being placed in the top two in several other sections.

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New Forest pony delights at Winter Dressage Championships: ‘I’m blessed to have found him’

‘I hacked him out bareback on Monday’

Hannah’s journey with Stanley will always be in her heart.

“I had the time of my life [with Stanley] and did levels that I never thought I would,” she says. “It’s a very different journey with Rodney. As a rider, I’m blessed to have found him and that his owner gave me the opportunity to have him.

“His previous owner could have sold him for a lot more money, but she trusted that we would go on a journey together and have fun and that was all she really wanted. I’m very lucky.

“I’ve been reliving my childhood with him, it’s like having a Pony Club pony again – I hacked him out bareback on Monday.

“Rodney lives out and gets ridden at whatever time of day I’m not at work – 5am, 8pm, whenever I can. My Dad is my hero. Work is full on and when I ring him and say I can’t get home, he’ll get him in, feed him, get him ready if I’m going to ride.

“When I got to 30 he might have been able to get rid of me, but he’s still there and he still bought my pictures!”

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Public feeding or petting of horses could mean £1,000 fine under new rules

It added that the practices also have a financial impact on New Forest commoners when animals are harmed, and means a risk of the equids’ being withdrawn from the area “to the detriment of the New Forest commoners and those who live, work or visit” the area concerned.

“As well as physical harm or worse caused to New Forest ponies, horses, mules or donkeys,” the report stated.

The PSPOs ban “feeding or providing or depositing food for consumption by any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey” as well as petting or touching the animals, in a set area “principally comprises the perambulation of the New Forest”.

Of those who took part in the consultation, 95% agreed with the PSPO on lighting fires and barbecues, and 91% on the ban on feeding and petting animals.

At a meeting on 5 April, the council’s cabinet agreed that based on evidence presented last year and these consultation results, “the relevant legal tests have been met” and it is appropriate to implement the PSPOs.

Anyone breaching the bans would be committing a criminal offence and could face a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.

“PSPOs, if used proportionately and in the right circumstances, allow us and our partners to counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour as they grant stronger enforcement powers and the ability to issue fixed penalties for breaches,” an NFDC spokesman said.

“Formal enforcement will be used proportionately, and there will be information issued about these new restrictions and clear signage will be in place.”

The PSPOs are expected to come into force on 1 July.

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The devastating effects of speed: driver sentenced after pony’s death

Oliver William Haywood, of Woodgreen Common Road, Ringwood, had a small child in the back of the car when he hit the pony on Roger Penny Way on 7 August last year. Heywood and the infant sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision – but the pony died from its injuries at the scene.

The 25-year-old was convicted of driving without due care and attention. At West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court on 6 April, he was disqualified from driving for six months, fined £1,600 and ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.

Hampshire Constabulary PC Dan Channer said: “This incident shows the devastating effects of travelling at inappropriate speeds on our forest roads. While an animal has lost its life, the consequences could have been graver – there could have been a loss of human life too.

“Speed limits are put in place for a reason – and it is exactly that, a limit – not a target. Ponies, horses and other wild animals cross New Forest roads day and night and it is well signposted in these high-risk areas.”

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‘That child was so lucky’: walkers warned to leave ponies alone after video shows the risks

She told H&H she was out with her stepfather to check their own ponies when she saw the family.

“They’d tried to fuss some other ponies about 100 yards down,” she said. “I saw them going up to this other group and I said to my stepdad: ‘Pull over’ because I knew exactly what was going to happen.”

The footage shows the family with two ponies, a grey and a bay. The small child appears to try to touch the grey on its belly.

“Then the bay mare starts to swing round, which sends the grey into a panic,” Sally said. “It’s all over in a flash but the child was so, so lucky. That she was pulled away in time, and that the pony didn’t kick out, because it would have caught her straight in the head.”

Sally said the video demonstrates the huge issues caused by visitors to the forest.

“It drives me crazy,” she said. “People say we need more signs but I’ve seen someone feeding ponies from a big bag of carrots, which was hanging on the sign saying not to feed them. What else can we do? Where has common sense gone?

“Parents wouldn’t encourage their children to go up to a stranger but they do encourage them to go up to a 350kg animal that bites at one end and kicks at the other. It blows my mind.”

Sally said that despite the extensive measures taken to educate visitors on why they should not touch or feed the ponies, the message is not getting through.

“If you go on social media, you see influencers posing with the ponies or feeding them and think ‘Oh my lord’,” she said. “I don’t know what the answer is.

“We’ve had signs, people giving out advice and leaflets in car parks but whether people listen or not is the problem, and most of the time they don’t.”

“At least we have got to that point, although I don’t know how it will be implemented,” she said. “This is a beautiful place and I want people to enjoy it but they have to respect it.

“I don’t want to pick on this family but if this video stays in someone’s mind and they don’t get too close, it might save one child, or one pony.”

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